Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus, “sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse nine of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus told His disciples they would be, “killed and hated” where we read:
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
The verse reads, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:” Matthew began with the words, “then” which means “at that time and moment” “shall they deliver you up” or “people who oppose the disciples will give over, punish, scourge and torment treacherously” “to be afflicted” which means “to be pressed together, oppressed, distressed, burdened, troubled and persecuted”, “and shall kill you” or “and will destroy, perish, extinguish, abolish and inflict mortal death upon the disciples”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples that opposition would give them over to “punishment, torment and scourging” as well as “death”.
The verse goes on to say, “and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.” Matthew continued Jesus' words, “and you shall be hated” or “and Jesus' disciples would be detested” “of all nations” which refers to “by each, every, the whole and everyone of the multitudes of individuals of the same nature or genus” “for my name's sake” or “on behalf and cause of Jesus' name which is used for everything which the name covers, everything concerning the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples they would be “despised and detested” by every “multitude and group of people” because they bore “Jesus' name”.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see a somewhat dreadful fate given to Jesus' disciples. Because they identify with and follow Jesus, the disciples were going to be “punished, scourged and tormented” as well as “destroyed” for His sake. Those who become followers of Jesus are never promised their lives will be easy, and many times they are extremely difficult. The cost for being a “disciple” of Jesus may be anguish, troubles, tribulation and sometimes “death”, but His promise to those who “believe and trust” in Him is they shall inherit “everlasting life” that goes well beyond life in this world. May all who read these words “count the cost” of becoming a “disciple” of Jesus.
Next time Matthew writes how Jesus warns, “then shall many be offended, and shall 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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