Matthew 9:35-10:23
Dear RTB’ers,
Jesus now leaves Capernaum and travels throughout Galilee, sending the Twelve to do the same after giving them instructions. He also predicted trouble for them: Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves… Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for My sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. (vv. 10:16-18) We see Jesus’ warnings fulfilled after His Resurrection, in the Acts of the Apostles, especially in the apostle Paul’s journeys: When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next… (v. 10:23a; see this played out for Paul in Acts 13:44-14:7). We see Jesus’ warnings also in our own time, especially where Christians are persecuted by Moslems and repressed by government authorities in autocratic nations. One item in our Sunday “Prayers for the People” is a prayer for the persecuted church.
I spoke to our church last summer about us sharing our faith, as we imagined ourselves as either one of “the twelve” (well-prepared) or one of “the 72” (less well prepared). My words back then bear repeating: “A final bit of Gospel guidancethat I can offer is the best (except for Jesus’ command). I offer you the Holy Spirit… Here we have Jesus’ words during Luke’s “Travel Narrative”, Luke 12:11-12, And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Matthew’s words today are even stronger: For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (v. 10:20) Can you imagine God speaking through you? It happens. It’s His gift to us! Speak up! Share your faith!!
And stay after coffee hour tomorrow for our monthly RTB gathering. It’s a fun time – great discussions!
Blessings!
Fred