“No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father (Mt. 10:24-33).”
Followers of Jesus are to be lifelong students of his teaching because Jesus imparts spiritual wisdom about life; “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher (Lk. 6:40).” Jesus is Lord and there is no teacher from whom one could learn more. The Jewish model at that time was for students to learn all they could from a master and then become teachers themselves or ‘graduate’ to another master who could teach them more. This posed a conflict with what Jesus expected of his followers.
Jesus told the disciples that ministry is scary. They will be persecuted but they should not be afraid of those who can kill only the body and not the soul. If God takes care of the lowliest of creatures, how much more will he take care of them? They must have faith and everywhere proclaim the kingdom of God which Jesus has revealed to them privately. Christians must openly bear witness to Christ and Christ will intercede on their behalf before God.
Almighty God, we kneel before you with contrite hearts and humble spirits. Cleanse us so we may lift our prayers to you in righteousness, and by your grace be lights to all who walk in darkness. This we pray to the glory of your name, through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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