 Matthew 10:17-42
Jesus warns the twelve apostles about the persecution they will suffer because of Jesus' name. We can relate to some extent to the pressure they felt to compromise or deny faith in Jesus' name. In this passage, Jesus teaches four habits to help us be effective as his disciples. Following this way we can overcome the pressures of persecution.
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 Matthew 9:9-13
Mercy is at the heart of everything Jesus did. This was on display when Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector, to be a disciple. Many other sinners came to Jesus, too, and found his mercy.  Matthew 8:18-27
Wise students learn key lessons from the way the winds and the sea obey Jesus one stormy day. Matthew's framing of this story with questions of discipleship points the way.  Matthew 8:14-15
The path of discipleship in Jesus includes iitating his ministry of healing by bringing love's touch to people and situations needing to be set right.  Matthew 8:1-4
Christians share Jesus' work of redeeming by human touch and restoring by cleansing word.  Matthew 7:24-27
Be ready to survive Judgment Day by Practicing Jesus’ surpassing righteousness.  Matthew 7:13-14
The difficult way to the narrow gate into eternal life is not obvious. A person must search for it. Jesus himself provides the model of what we are looking for. It is the way of love--imitating the cross of Jesus--that leads home to heaven. This requires great patience and perseverance.  Matthew 7:12
Religious people mean well when creating many expectations--even rules--to govern how to be truly religious. In this passage, Jesus provides a form of the one rule commanded for his followers to follow in their lives.  Matthew 7:7-11
Ask. Seek. Knock. God knows what each of us needs at every moment. He already moves to meet our needs. (Remember Matt 6:24-34.) Like any good father--and infinitely more than the best human fathers--God wants us to ask him for whatever is on our heart. Not that he will grant everything we wish for. But so that he can teach us and relate to us like fathers relate to their children.  Matthew 7:6
Though disciples are not to be judgmental of others (Matt 7:1-5), Jesus does teach us to know who we are dealing with. The Kingdom of God is precious, and its resources are not to be treated casually or carelessly. Some situations might only be a waste of time, or, worse, putting Kingdom things at risk of being abused and mistreated. Disciples are to have some "street smarts" as we go about our mission for the Lord. |
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