The Character of Missionary Disciples
Read: Matthew 10:24-42
The disciples have the privilege of sharing Jesus’ work and representing Him but this also means
that they will also share His unpopularity. More specifically, they will face the same insults that He
faced. In verses 26-33 Jesus encourages them not to fear but to look to their reward in Heaven. Fear
is the key word of this section. There are right and wrong fears for the disciple and true discipleship
depends on distinguishing them. The fear that is a natural response to the conditions described in
verses 17-25 could put a stop to the disciples’ mission. Their duty to this mission must override their
natural reluctance to incur men’s hostility. In verse 28 Jesus contrasts the two types of fear. Fear of
men is a self-interested cowardice, but fear of God is a healthy response of awe and obedience in
the face of the Almighty. God can destroy both soul and body in hell. Hell is the fate which awaits
the disobedient. Compare this to the far less fearful fate of martyrdom. It’s all about perspective.
The God who can destroy in hell is also the God who cares for the sparrow. In His hands there is
nothing to fear. Sparrows were the cheapest food sold to the poorest people in Jesus time. Nothing
in God’s world is outside His concern or control. Yet sparrows and Christians still die. Verses 29-31
do not promise escape from suffering or even death, but the knowledge that both are in the hands of
God. Verses 32-33 provide a warning that to deny Christ is to be excluded from fellowship with Him.
Verses 35-39 teach that true discipleship comes at a cost and may bring conflict of loyalties. In that
case, following Jesus must take precedence over the natural love of family. Jesus is not teaching
that we should have an unloving attitude but for a willingness to put Him first in any situation. The
disciple puts Jesus before his own natural inclinations and interests as well as before those of his
family. Jesus demands complete loyalty. This is the cost of being His disciple. Yet the story doesn’t
end here. Verses 40-42 speak of the rewards of discipleship. Those who pass the test will receive a
reward. These verses place the disciple in the privileged position of the one who, representing Jesus,
also represents God. This is solid comfort for those who find the world against them because they
belong to Jesus.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Lord to show you any fears that you may have in following Him. Pray through each one,
asking Him to show you the root of that fear and the truth about Him that He wants you to hold
on to.
2. Pray that you would grow in trusting the Lord’s sovereignty. Pray that your loyalty to Him would
be strengthened as you learn to trust more fully in Him.
