13 July 2013 - remastered

13 July 2013 - remastered

Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,

Eventually it will be made clear whom we serve.  The sheep and the goats will be separated (cf. Mat 25:31-46).  We will become more and more like our teacher and master as we follow him.  We will either grow in likeness to Jesus or in likeness to Beelzebub.

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;

Proclaiming the kingdom in dangerous.  The servants of the devil may go so far as to kill the body if they continue to follow that master.  But if we continue to follow ours we will not fear.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.

Sparrows may fall to the ground.  After all, "no slave above his master."  We may face persecution.  But this passage tells us that it happens with the Father's knowledge. Is that comforting?  It should be.  If he knows about it, then he is allowing it in his plan.  And his plan is good!

Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good,
to achieve his present end, the survival of many people.

Because we are not greater than our master crosses are inescapable (cf. Luk 9:23).  But they happen with our "Father's knowledge."  And that should console us.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

There is always the temptation to not speak up for our master because of the threat of persecution.  But that is how we begin to turn aside from him.  Beelzebub requires no acknowledgement to follow.  He tells us to put ourselves first.  But he does not deliver on his promises of pleasure.  The destiny of those who follow him is certain.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others,
I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

So even while our earthly circumstances include crosses we have every reason for joy if we trust in Jesus.  When we are acknowledged as his servants and disciples before his Father we will at last be invited to enter his rest and share his heavenly joy.

Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!