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BIBLICAL
PROPHECY |
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In The Fulness Of Time, Part 61
by Dr. Dr. Thomas O. Figart |
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His Comfort: Fear Not. Matthew 10:24-31
In Matthew 10:1-23, Jesus presented His Commission to the
Twelve. He now repeats three times in 10:24-31 "fear
not," and with good reason; they would certainly
suffer for His namesake and needed this encouragement.
Fear Not: God has a Purpose.
10:24-26
10:24-25 "The
disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above
his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be like
his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have
called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more
shall they call them of his household."
The principle: Treatment of the
inferior cannot be expected to be any better than that
given to the superior. Comparisons are given in four
passages.
Mockery: Three analogies are
given: the disciple/teacher relationship, the slave/lord
and head of the house/those in the house relationship. The
disciple learns from his mentor and passes along that
knowledge; but if the teachings of the teacher are
rejected, it can be expected that the same teachings
proclaimed by his disciples will be rejected. If the
commands of the lord are disregarded, certainly a slave
who issues the same commands cannot hope to be obeyed. If
the head of the house is spoken of in a derogatory fashion
because of the things he does, so will the members of the
household be mocked when they do the same things. The
specific name, Beelzebub is identified as "the
prince of demons" in Matthew 12:24 (cf. also 9:34).
Maturity: In Luke 6:40 the first
analogy is used: "The disciple is not above his
teacher, but everyone that is perfect shall be as his
teacher." The word perfect is
katertismenos in the perfect tense, conveying the
idea of "fully trained," or "completely equipped."
Those who follow Christ should exert the discipline
necessary to become mature teachers.
Humility: In the context of John
13:1-17 Jesus uses the second analogy stating in v. 16, "The
servant is not greater than his lord, neither is he that
is sent greater than he that sent him." Coming right
after Jesus’ demonstration of humility in washing the
disciples’ feet, this analogy of servant/lord is a graphic
reminder that humility is a prime characteristic expected
of apostolos, or "sent one." This
servanthood of Christ is expressed most fully in
Philippians 2:5-8 where Paul says that Jesus "took upon
him the form of a servant (doulos) . . . humbled
himself and became obedient unto death."
Hostility: In John 15:20 Jesus
reminded them, "The servant is not greater than his
lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you."
That there would be such hostility, the disciples were
told in the Sermon of the Mount in Matthew 5:10-12, 43.
Now, as they will venture forth on their own, they will
need to be reminded that this hostility is because the
world hates Him before it hates them (John 15:18-19), so
they will meet hostility as His servants, for His
namesake; therefore they are not to fear.
10:26 "Fear
them not therefore; for there is nothing covered that
shall not be revealed; and hidden, that shall not be
known."
Some have
connected this verse with that which follows in verse 27,
but it would seem better to take it with verses 24-25
instead. For one thing, the word "therefore,"
oun, a connecting particle is at the
beginning of the verse and thus points backward.
The connection is this: Since you are His servants,
disciples and members of His household, remember, He has a
purpose which will be fulfilled, in which He will bring to
light the hidden things and will eventually cause the
light of the truth to prevail. As Jesus continues, He will
reinforce this with the comfort of God’s power to fulfill
His purpose, in the fullness of time!
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