Bible Reading: Genesis 10; Ezra 10; Matthew 10; Acts 10
Matthew 10:24-25 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?
Two examples are used by Jesus to help us to understand the treatment we will receive from the world. First, a disciple/master relationship is in view. A disciple is a learner and a master is the one who is teaching and training the disciple. This is the work of the master craftsman and his apprentice. The apprentice joins with the master to learn all that he knows. He lives with him and works beside him until the master has determined that he is ready to go off one his own and practice the art that he has learned. Jesus took disciples who lived with him and learned how to walk in the Spirit. He taught them and trained them until they were ready to go and be masters who would take disciples and teach and train them.
The second example is that of a servant and his lord. The servant will never be over the lord. He is going to serve the lord of the house until he dies or until he has paid off his debt and is free again. The lesson for us to learn is that in both examples, the disciple and the servant are not above the master or lord. They are under them in the sense of authority and will only advance to be the same as their master.
Why does Jesus tell us this? Because his point is that if the world treats Jesus (master and lord) with hatred and false accusations, they will also treat his disciples the same way. If they call the master Beelzebub or the lord of the demons, what will they call the disciples of his household?
Are you following Jesus? Then you will not be above Jesus in the reception that he got from those who hated him. The world did not love Jesus and they never will. This is a promise of persecution. This is a promise of misunderstanding. This is a promise of being treated as they treated Jesus.
John 15:18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Pray for the lost and don't be surprised when the world hates you.
In Christ,
Rody
