Daily Devotions
Matthew
Deep Preparation
Text: Matthew 10 : 32-42
How carefully Jesus prepared His disciples for ministry. Many details were looked into. Every thing was intricately linked together. Let us take a moment to review what had been taught thus far. We may classify these instructions into nine categories.
1. The Calling Matthew 10:1-4
2. Authority for ministry Matthew 10:1
3. Mission to Israel specified Matthew 10:5-6
4. Ministry of preaching, healing and exorcising of demons Matthew 10:7-8
5. Provision for the Ministry Matthew 10:8b-13
6. Necessary words of warning concerning enemies of the faith Matthew 10:14-25
7. Promise of help from the Holy Spirit Matthew 10:19-20
8. A special challenge to be just like the Teacher Matthew 10:24-25
9. Overcoming fears Matthew 10:26-31
Each category of thought was to be carefully pondered over and hidden deep in the heart. Every word, when recalled would stand them in good stead in the ministry.
MORE CONSIDERATIONS
Jesus however was not done yet. He had many more important words of instruction to give to His disciples.
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men,
him I will also confess before My Father who
is in heaven.”
Matthew 10:32
1. Confessing Jesus
What did Jesus have in mind when He spoke of confessing Him before men? The following thoughts may be highlighted.
a) Confessing Jesus as Messiah
This must be done with conviction and courage. People hearing the message of the gospel would surely ask basic questions like “Who is this Jesus?” They must not be afraid of declaring their faith in Him. They must not be afraid to state their identification with Him as His apostles!
b) Confessing Jesus as Saviour
The next logical step would be to preach Jesus as the Saviour. He had come to save people from their sins. He had come as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. No matter how people may respond, they must confess this truth.
c) Confessing Jesus as the Son of God
Jesus was not asking the disciples to declare any thing that they had not been taught. These lessons concerning Himself had been carefully taught. Every lesson had been demonstrated in life and ministry! The question was whether the disciples had that conviction and courage to confess or proclaim what they believed concerning Jesus.
d) Confessing Jesus as Lord
Many other things could be said about Jesus. The disciples could speak about Jesus as a Comforter, a Friend, a Healer etc. However, the most significant of all must be His lordship! To proclaim Jesus as Lord was most important!
2. The Response of Jesus to Such faithful confession
How would Jesus respond if the disciples were to do all of the above?
a) Jesus would confess that disciple as a true one
There were many who followed Jesus, but they were not true disciples. Even among the twelve, there was one who did not confess Him as Messiah, Saviour and Lord! What a gracious promise was given to the disciples.
b) Jesus would honour the faithful disciple before none other than the Father Himself
Jesus would truly honour that faithful disciple. Great honour indeed! Who would have the right to make such a presentation before the Father in heaven, except Jesus?
c) What a great reward for so simple a task!
Jesus did not ask for impossible things from His disciples. He did not promise them great rewards only if they won a huge number of people to the Kingdom of God. He was only asking that His disciples genuinely and courageously proclaim Him as the Son of God!
d) Eternal consequences
Jesus tied in their confession with eternal consequences! What they did on earth would affect things eternally. What a challenging impetus we have in this thought. What a boost to be faithful to the Lord Jesus! There was nothing to lose and everything to gain.
EACH MUST DETERMINE HOW HE WILL PROCEED
How would the disciples proceed with their ministry? Each one must determine within his own heart how he planned to serve. Much depended upon their personal faith and conviction. Had they truly understood Jesus and believed in Him? That reality would soon be tested in life’s harsh circumstances!