Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known,” and He said, “What I tell you in darkness, that speak you in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach you upon the housetops”. In chapter ten and verse twenty-eight of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” where we read:
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:
but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
The verse reads, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:” Matthew began with the words, “and fear not them” which means “and do not be afraid of, be in awe of and revere the people whether male or female” “which kill” or “who destroy, allow to perish, extinguish, abolish and inflict mortal death upon” “the body” or “the physical living body or corpse”, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and even” “are not able” or “do not have the ability or power” “to kill” which means “to destroy, allow to perish, extinguish, abolish and inflict mortal death” “the soul” or “the seat of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. Matthew shared how Jesus instructed His disciples not to be afraid of people who are capable of “destroying” their physical bodies but do not have power to “extinguish” their “seat of mind, will and emotions”.
The verse goes on to say, “but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew continued with the words, “but rather” which means “more over and instead, sooner, more willingly, readily and to a greater degree” “fear him” or “be afraid of, be in awe of and revere the person whether male or female” “which is able” which means “who has the ability or power” “to destroy” or “put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to and ruin” “both soul and body” which means “also, even and indeed the physical living body or corpse and the seat of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions” “in hell” which refers to “the place of the future punishment called "Gehenna" or "Gehenna of fire" which was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned. Gehenna is a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction.” Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples to be concerned and in awe of the One who is capable of “destroying” both their physical bodies and the “seats of their minds, wills and emotions” in the “eternal” lake which burns with fire.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see one of Jesus' greatest warnings to His disciples. Though there would be opposition to them because of the “gospel of the kingdom of heaven”, Jesus' disciples were not to be afraid of those who opposed them physically. God has power over both the “physical and spiritual” makeups of a person, and He is the One the “disciples” were to reverence and awe. God loves people, and He wants them to be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. People who align with Him will have reverence and awe of Him, but those oppose Him should be greatly afraid of a God who has the power to destroy them in an “eternal lake of fire”.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples, “sparrows...shall not fall on the ground without your Father”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
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