Matthew 10:21-25
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Today’s passage comes at the midpoint of Jesus preparatory remarks before sending out his disciples to spread the Good News of God’s Kingdom to the towns and cities of Israel. As you read Matthew 10:21-25, try to imagine the very real risks these first century disciples of Jesus were taking to follow him.
The Romans began to occupy Israel just over 60 years before Jesus was born, and the brutal occupation continued for several years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. When Jesus sends his disciples out for the first time, they are faced with a double threat: the Romans, and a large contingent of Israel’s religious leadership.
Before we judge the religious leaders too quickly, we should remember that the Romans were tolerant of Israel’s religious practices as long as nothing they did disturbed the “peace.” The inbreaking of the Kingdom of God through restoration and healing was an obvious disturbance of the status quo, and when crowds of people began to form wherever Jesus went, those who did not embrace Jesus’ teachings were sure to be alarmed.
Inner disturbance is sometimes a sign that God is attempting to do something new in us, and we can either attempt to quell the disturbance and move back to status quo, or we can open ourselves to a fresh wind of the Spirit of Jesus in our lives.
Get still and quiet for a moment and notice your breathing. As you sink into silence, what emotions do you notice within yourself? What might God want to tell you about this?
Read Matthew 10:21-25 again noting any questions that arise.
Because of Jesus’ earlier remarks regarding the cities that would reject the Good News (Matthew 10:14-15), his comment about returning before the disciples reach all the towns of Israel is most likely a prophetic statement referring to the future invasion of Israel by Rome is 70CE.
But what Jesus says after this is very clear. The aim of a follower of Jesus is to be like him regardless of the risks. To be like Jesus is to be more of who we were created to be. It is to be fully human and to know God more and more intimately.
Many of Jesus’ followers throughout the centuries have found this to be a compelling enough reality that they have been willing to give up their lives in pursuit of that aim. The rest of us may never face that degree of adversity, but the invitation to us is the same.
As you end this time of meditation, talk to Jesus about his character. Simply finish the sentence, “Jesus, you are…” over and over using the knowledge you already have of him to complete the sentence.
What might God want you to remember or do as a result of today’s passage?
What will you do in response?
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