Matthew 7:1-6
Judging And Hypocrisy
Matthew 7:13-23
A Professing Christian vs a True Christian
Matthew 7:24-29
Building on the Right Foundation
Matthew 8:1-17
Healing Miracles of Christ
Matthew 8:18-27
Motives of Service
Matthew 8:28-34
Jesus Transfers Demons to Pigs
Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus Heals a Crippled Man
Matthew 9:9-13
Reaching Sinners And Tax Collectors
Matthew 9:14-26
The Traditions of Judaism
Matthew 9:27-38
The Need For Laborers
Matthew 10:1-15
Qualifications of The Twelve Apostles
Matthew 10:16-31
Religious Opposition to Christ’s Followers
Matthew 10:32-42
The Service of Christian Workers
Matthew 11:1-19
Doubting of John The Baptist
Matthew 11:20-24
Clear Teaching of The Word
Matthew 11:25-30
Finding Rest From Your Burdens
Matthew 12:1-14
The Sabbath Law
Matthew 12:15-21
Preaching Teaching and Healing
Matthew 12:22-37
What is The Unpardonable Sin
Matthew 12:46-50
Need For Personal Relationship With Jesus
Matthew 13:1-9
Teaching in Parables
Matthew 13:10-17
The Secret Message
Matthew 13:18-30
The Parable of The Seeds
Matthew 13:24-35
Stories About a Mustard Seed And Yeast
Matthew 13:36-43
The Story About The Weeds
Religious Opposition to Christ’s Followers
Matthew 10:16–31
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
“There is a great difference between your religion and mine,” said a Christian to his neighbor. “Indeed!” was the reply. “What is that?"   … More
Jesus spelled out that living for Him would not be easy and that it would be like sheep living among wolves (v. 16). The words of the Lord had application in His own lifetime and was certainly demonstrated in the lives of the Apostles after Jesus had ascended into heaven. It seems that the period described here closely parallels the time of tribulation He describes in (Matt 24-25). The Tribulation Period will be a time of opposition. This opposition will come from organized religion (v. 17), government (v. 18) and even from family members (v. 21).
Church history reveals that “organized religion” has often opposed those who have dared to witness boldly for the Lord. When they arrest you don’t worry about it because the Father will tell you what to say (vv. 19-20). Then he says that one of the marks of the end times will be the lack of family love and loyalty (I Tim. 3:3). The three institutions which God established on this earth, in the last days, will oppose the truth of His word. Everyone will hate you because of me (v. 22). When people mistreat you in one town move to another (v. 23). Don’t worry because the Son of Man will come.
Jesus reminded the apostles that He was not asking them to do something that He Himself had not already experienced. Since men persecuted Jesus while He was on earth, why should we expect anything different (vv. 24-25)? He told them that they did not need to fear the religious leaders. All that men can do is kill the body but God is able to destroy both body and soul. Don’t be afraid of anyone (v. 26). Tell others about me (v. 27). Don’t be afraid of people but fear God (v. 28). God knows when a sparrow falls to the ground (v. 29) and even the hairs of your head are numbered (v. 30) so don’t be afraid you are worth more than sparrows (v. 31).
Application
How has Christ’s teaching united my family? Divided them? Have I ever received any persecution from religious leaders, government officials or family members?
Matthew 10:16-31 (English Standard Version)
Warning: MagpieRSS: Failed to parse RSS file. (Space required at line 39, column 24) in /var/www/html/familytimes/includes/magpie6-1/rss_fetch.inc on line 230
Warning: array_slice() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /var/www/html/familytimes/includes/rss/esvLookup.php on line 15
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »