Matthew 10:24-39
24 “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell, 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Devotional: What’s important in life?
This year has been different for everyone – in our region, and across the world. And while we might say that every year is different, in 2020 we have been confronted with realities that many of us have never had to face. And as we have faced new realities in relation to life (and to death) there has been the time, if not the inclination, to think about what is really important in life. Many of us have discovered what we can do without – and what is essential – to our life, and to our faith.
This collection of teachings has some seemingly harsh words (e.g. 34-39) and also some very tender words (e.g. 29-31). Has this year made you look differently at these passages? In times of adversity or change we can find out what really matters to us and how deep our faith in God is. Do we really trust the God who knows us so intimately that “even the hairs of your head are all counted”? May this year be a time that many come to trust our God with deeper faith.
Prayer
God, our Creator and Sustainer, help us learn to trust you more this year. Help us to finish this year with hearts that are closer to you than when we started. Amen.
Rev Pam Reed, Registrar & Student Support Tutor