Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Jesus continued, “But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you” where we read:
For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.
The verse reads, “For it is not you that speak, ...” Matthew began with the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “it is not you” or “it will not be the disciples” “that speak” or “who utter, declare, proclaim, preach or talk”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His “apostles” they would not be the ones “speaking” in their time to give defense or explanation to authorities.
The verse goes on to say, “... but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.” Matthew continued with the words, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover and” “the Spirit” or “the third person of the triune God who is the Holy Spirit and is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “of your Father” which means “belonging to the disciple's originator, progenitor and generator” “which speaks” or “who utters, declares, proclaims, preaches or talks” “in you” which means “within the disciples”. Matthew shared how “God the Heavenly Father's Spirit” would be “speaking” through the disciples.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus promised that God's “Spirit” would be involved when His disciples were brought before governing authorities. The “apostles” were to depend upon God Himself, and through His Spirit they would know exactly what to say and how to say it. The times for defense and explanation would be carried out by God, and those hearing the disciples words would be as though they were hearing from God Himself. This is an intimate relationship with God that requires “belief and trust” in His Son Jesus. Those who are wise shall learn to rely upon the “Spirit of God” when they encounter times where they are to make a “defense for the gospel of Jesus Christ”.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples how family members will betray one another, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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