Day 179
Matthew 10:24
"The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord."
In Matthew 10, Jesus sent His disciples out to minister on His behalf. He gave them instructions on what to carry and how to conduct themselves. He warned them about unpleasant things they might encounter. When He described the persecution they would face, He told them that whatever men had done, or would do to Him, they would also do to them, and even worse. Verse 25 of this same chapter says, "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?"
We expect to endure persecution. We are not supposed to allow anything to discourage us from our mission as ambassadors for Christ. He is to be our example of enduring suffering and staying committed. It may seem simple. Yet, it is something we must ponder from time to time. The way many Christians react to difficulty shows we are still not prepared to handle challenges to our faith and commitment. Understanding thoroughly what Jesus taught about persecution will lead us to a life of consistency in endurance and obedience.
From time to time, we have done things that were against the still small voice in our spirits. It was the gratification of our flesh that motivated us to make the wrong move. The disciple moved out of position and put himself above his Lord, who was attempting to guide him through his inner man. When the negative consequences came along, we reacted, saying something like, "OOPS! I missed it again. That was not unnecessary. If I had only followed my spirit, I could have avoided that blunder."
So, let us ponder Matthew I 0:24 today. We can endure more than we have already endured. We have not suffered as much as our master. It is in our power to be consistently obedient, as we use the tools God has given us. Among those tools are prayer, Bible study, meditation and regular confession of the Word out of a spirit of agreement with God.
I am submitted to my master and Lord, Jesus Christ. I will be a good ambassador of Christ, as I allow the Holy Spirit to help me. I can endure and overcome anything that comes my way, through Christ who strengthens me. I am obedient.