Jesus Instructs His Disciples

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 10:21-42. This Scripture is a continuation of the previous lesson where Jesus called His disciples. Jesus gave them a commandment before He sent them out to let them know what to expect and what He expected of them.

Jesus lets them know it wouldn’t be easy. He says some of the people who will give them the hardest time will be members of their own families. He tells them they don’t need to fear man, who can only kill the body, but they need to fear the one who can kill the body and soul in hell.

Jesus then compares them to the sparrows by letting them know if God takes care of the sparrows, how much more valuable the disciples are to Him. He tells them every hair on their head is numbered. Jesus tells them he who doesn’t take up his cross and follow Him isn’t worthy of Him. Jesus then says whoever receives the disciples, receives Him.

As we read this Scripture we realize that Jesus and God don’t want us to put anything or anybody ahead of them in our lives.

Only God is eternal. This is something I feel God has been trying to teach me in the past several years.

When I lost my Mama a few years ago it was really hard on me. I was used to seeing her several times a week. Even though I had to visit her at the nursing home or in the hospital the last few years of her life, I still missed her.

As we get older, I think we realize more and more our loved ones are just loaned to us for a season. Jesus was explaining to the disciples we shouldn’t value our loved ones more than Him.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 10:21-42

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?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Things to think about:

• Would you have been willing to follow Jesus after you heard Him talk about the things He talked about in this Scripture?
• Have you ever had to deny someone else in order to do something you felt the Lord wanted you to do?
• Would you be willing to deny yourself of some of the creature comforts you are used to in order to do God’s will?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture of the commandments Jesus gave to His disciples, we see life with You isn’t always going to be easy. Help us know You are in control and You are watching over us. Help us to realize the difference between things that are temporary and things that are eternal. Give us strength as we take up our cross and follow You. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

that preach ye upon the housetops.

– Matthew 10:27

– This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ Get your copy now!

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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

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