The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 8 September 2019 – – Like Master Like Servant

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TOPIC: Like Master Like Servant

READ: Matthew 10:16-25 King James Version (KJV)

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

25 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?

THE MESSAGE:

Jesus knew He was going to suffer for mankind. Very soon, He would leave His disciples. He clearly told them what they were going to face as they spread the Gospel. These included: arrest and being charged to court for no crime, flogging, hatred, trial before state and national leaders, and even death. They were asked not to fear about what they would say at such times. The Holy Spirit would reveal that. As they persecuted Jesus, so would they be.

Jesus was not saying these things to scare His disciples. He was preparing their minds to know that following Him is costly. Many modern Christians prefer easy-going Christianity. Many of us sing at the top of our voices: Me, I no go suffer, I no go beg for bread. This is a wonderful confession but we are warned that he who must follow Christ must suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that he who wants to follow Him must daily carry his cross to do so.

The cross of Christ signifies suffering. No one wishes suffering but we are enjoined that our suffering should not be for committing evil but for righteousness sake (1 Peter 3:17). What are you suffering for: righteousness or evil?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, just as You suffered for me, help me to endure every suffering for Your sake.