There are shocking warnings that Jesus gives us from Matthew chapter ten. In fact, I’ve rarely heard a pastor who taught these things. It’s alarming and I recommend you read Matthew chapter ten on your own. In this post, we’ll go through it together.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”
– Matthew 10:16-20
The first thing that’s alarming is that Jesus admits He’s sending us out like sheep to the wolves. Wolves prey on sheep and eat them. Sheep are very peaceable creatures. They don’t have claws to fight back and can’t run that fast.
Not only does Jesus tell us this will happen, but He also tells us we will be punished for following Him. Jesus says people will testify against you and deliver you up for His sake.
Then, He says to not worry about the testimony you will give for the Holy Spirit will give you the words to speak.
Already, this is some shocking piece of scripture. He’s not promising blessings. In fact, He’s promising tribulations and trials.
“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
– Matthew 10:21-23
Jesus tells us that families will turn on one another because someone follows Him. They will snitch on their family members who love Christ and have them punished to the point of death. Jesus promises we will be hated for following Him. He promises salvation to those who continue in their faith unto death. Then, He tells them they will have to flee to another city for their safety.
Shocking, indeed.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
– Matthew 10:24-31
While this chapter started off really frightening, Jesus tells us to keep our mind focused on the big picture. While humans may destroy our bodies because of Jesus, we shouldn’t fear them. Instead, we should only fear God. Men cannot destroy our souls. However, God has the power to destroy both body and soul by casting one into hell fire.
Therefore, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be overcome by fear because of humans. Sure, life can be scary sometimes and it’s certainly unfair. However, we’re eternal beings and should do our best to keep our minds and thoughts focused on eternal things.
Jesus tells them to not fear because God values them more than any other creature. The birds of the sky can be wiped out, but God sustains them. We are worth way more than birds and therefore, we can trust God to sustain us as well.
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
– Matthew 10:32-33
This is very important. A few verses ago, He spoke about people being delivered unto death because of their belief in Christ. What if the persecutor told them they could keep their life if they denied Jesus as Christ? That’s happened millions of times throughout history. If people would conform to the will of the enemy, they may be able to keep their lives.
Yet, Jesus is very clearly stating that if a person decides to deny Jesus in front of man, He will deny them before His Father in heaven. That’s exactly why Jesus previously explained to not fear men, but to fear God.
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
– Matthew 10:34-40
Jesus plainly states that He didn’t come to bring peace. His coming to earth will cause division among many, including family members. He tells them that if someone loves their family members more than they love Jesus, they’re not worthy of Him. While that sounds harsh, there’s a reason for it.
If you love your mother or child more than Jesus and they threaten to abandon you because of your faith, then you would probably compromise on your beliefs. You cannot put anyone over Jesus because that gives that individual the power to make you deny Christ.
While many people may lose their lives because of their faith in Christ, Jesus is telling them they will actually inherit eternal life. And on the contrary, if someone denied Christ before man to try to retain their physical life on earth, they will lose eternal life.
Conclusion
I found this chapter really shocking because I haven’t heard many people teach on it. It took me by utter surprise to imagine Jesus telling His disciples these things. As the end times approach and the persecution of Christians expand throughout the earth, it’s incredibly important to reiterate this message of Jesus.
Our faith in Christ is a treasure and should be treated as such. Never fear a man who threatens to remove us from earth because of our belief in Christ. Instead, fear God who has the true power over life and death.
What do you think? Did you find these warnings from Matthew chapter ten shocking?
I pray you found this article helpful. If so, please share this content. Also, feel free to leave a comment below. As always, thanks for reading!
