Matthew 10:16-33
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Reflection
Jesus is preparing his disciples for their assignment in the work of God’s kingdom. Even though they will freely offer God’s grace (Matt. 10:8) and perform astounding miracles (vv. 1, 8), he warns them that they will face severe opposition (vv. 16–24). No matter how good the news, how honest their methods, and how pleasantly they speak, the message of the gospel will sometimes find harsh, and even violent, rejection— as was true for Jesus himself.
Romans 8:18-30
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Reflection
Glory awaits the believer in Christ, but “this present time” brings “sufferings” in abundance (Rom. 8:18). All creation is “groaning” in anticipation of the “freedom” from “bondage” and “corruption” that God promises (vv. 19–23; see Gen. 3:16–19). Believers also ache as their full salvation lies in the future, which calls for patience (Rom. 8:24–25).
We see in these verses that one day God is going to heal the entire universe (vv. 21–23). Everything will be put right. Eden will be restored. This globe will become what it was always meant to be, and the highlight will be the “revealing of the sons of God” (v. 19). The presence of God’s Spirit in our lives is just a down payment on the glorious things to come. One day we will receive new bodies (v. 23) that will be suited for an eternity with God in a new creation (v. 21; see 1 Cor. 15:51–53). In Romans 8:26–30, Paul gives us fuel to strengthen our faith as we patiently wait for the full restoration of the universe. He tells us that as we wait, the Holy Spirit speaks with God on our behalf (v. 26). He explains that God knows everything (v. 27), has power over “all things” (v. 28), and secures our eternal salvation (vv. 29–30). We have been surrounded with absolute protection. Reflecting on this will calm our hearts so that we can give glory to God for the utter stability of our deliverance.
Psalm 40:2
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Give thanks and praise to God because the salvation that Christ has accomplished is secure for those who trust him to the end. We did nothing to earn it, and there is nothing we can do to lose it.