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”, and in chapter ten and verse seventeen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “men … will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you” where we read:
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils,
and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
The verse reads, “But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, ...” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding moreover and” “beware” which refers to “attend to, give heed to and be cautious” “of men” or “pertaining to people whether male or female”: “for they will deliver you up” which means “because these people will betray, commit and commend the disciples over” “to the councils” which refers to “toward the Sanhedrin which was the great council at Jerusalem consisting of the seventy one members including the scribes, elders, prominent members of the high priestly families and the high priest himself as well as the president of the assembly”. Matthew shared how Jesus warned His “apostles” concerning people because they would “betray” them and turn them over to the “Sanhedrin”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and they will scourge you in their synagogues;” Matthew continued with the words, “and they will scourge you” which means “and these wicked people will also flog and beat the disciples” “in their synagogues” or “within their assemblies of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures”. Matthew shared how these wicked people would also “beat or flog” the “apostles” within their worship places.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus warning His “disciples” about the way people will “betray” them and turn them over to religious governing authorities. These wicked rulers will not only capture the “disciples”, but they will also “beat or flog” them simply because they share the “gospel of the kingdom of heaven”. God never promised that His “gospel” would be shared without cost, and many “martyrs” have not only been captured and beaten for their faith in Jesus, but have also been put to death. The “cost” for sharing the “good news” may be high on earth, but the eternal reward shall be far greater than any believer can ever imagine.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples they, “shall be brought before governors and kings for my say”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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