The Step of Faith
‘He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness …Be on your guard against evil men; they will hand you over to local councils and flog you in the synagogues … Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death’ Matthew 10:1,17,21
Matthew’s gospel divides into five parts concluding with “When Jesus had finished these sayings” or with wording almost identical. The above scriptures are at the end of the second section (8:1-10:42) where Jesus has been teaching on the power and the mission of the Kingdom. The above scriptures also introduce the third section that is devoted to the growing opposition to Jesus (11:1-13:52).
So as Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, He prepares them for trouble. Let’s think this through. Why is Jesus so emphatic that trials and suffering are coming their way?
Up until now the disciples have been in the background. Suddenly they’re being pushed into ministry teams and sent out as missionaries. No wonder the devil was mad. Jesus’ ministry is about to be multiplied. From these small beginnings will in time come a church numbering hundreds of millions.
Every step of faith that takes us out of our comfort zone will bring opposition. The front line in the battle is just outside your door. Stay huddled inside and the devil will laugh at you. Ask God to use you as you open the door and you’ll take ground for God’s Kingdom. Get up and get out!
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