The Strand Study Bible

MATTHEW MATTHEW 21) (the meaning behind “ in the midst of wolves ” ). Jesus never promised us a “health and wealth” philosophy ( Prov 16:8 ). Does turning the other cheek, allowing yourself to be taken advantage of, loving your enemies, refusing to store up earthly treasures, leaving your home and loved ones, denying yourself, taking up your cross of pain, sacrificing, suffering, and being willing to die, sound like a life of comfort and prosperity to you? None of Jesus’ commands call Christians to a life of ease and opulence (Mt 5:38-44 & 6:19-21 & 10:37-39 & 16:24 and Lk 14:33 ). Joy Davidman, wife of C.S. Lewis, in Smoke on the Mountain notes: 1506

But he would not promise them worldly success. He did not organize an army to fight Caesar; instead, he told them to pay the tribute money. He did not say, “Blessed are ye when ye are rich and victorious, makers of atom bombs and policemen of the nations.” He declared instead: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” He offered them not all the longed-for kingdoms of the earth, but only – only! – the salvation of their own souls. There have always been two kinds of Christianity – man’s and Christ’s. 1

Adrian Rogers once said, “If you’re not being persecuted as a Christian, why not?” He then went on to quote someone who once said, “The problem with Christianity today is that no one wants to kill them.” With the exception of third world countries, Christians (especially in America) aren’t doing anything worthy of persecution. 10:16 b The “dove” in Scripture depicts the blessed HOLY SPIRIT (Mt 3:16), who brings to men the sweetness of the grace of God. Jesus charges us therefore to yield to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life ( Eph 5:18 c and Gal 5:16-17 ). 10:23 Martyrdom ( when they persecute you – Rev 7:13-14) will not wipe out “all” the Jewish Tribulation believers. Before “all” the cities of Israel should be visited by martyrdom, CHRIST would return to set up His Kingdom. 10:28 This word ( destroy ) is the Greek word DSοOHσDL ( apolesai ). According to Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words , apolesai signifies “ to destroy utterly .” Nevertheless, the idea is not extinction but “ ruin ,” and “ loss, not of being, but of well- being .” 2 Hell is a place where people will experience devastation, not obliteration (Job 26:6, Psa 37:9 , Phil 3:19 and II Thess 1:9 ). Jesus reminded us here that it is more important to fear God who has authority over the soul as well as over the body, and canbring both to eternal ruin in Hell, than to fear man whose only authority is over the body. 10:32 “ Whosoever therefore ” is still referring to Christians. 10:33 There will be regret for some Christians at the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST ( him will I also deny ). Those who are ashamed of Christ and of being a Christian down here will be made to feel indignity and shame up there ( II Tim 2:12 and Rev 3:5 a ). A’s and F’s are the only grades given to Christians at the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST ( II Cor 5:10-11 ). There will be no C’s given out in Heaven. God doesn’t grade on a curve. He grades you on your reaction to the light you’ve been given. React properly to the light you’ve been given as a Christian and you’ll receive an “A.” Disregard the light you’ve been given as a Christian and you’ll receive an “F.” The choice is yours ( I Cor 3:14 , Mt 5:19 a and Ezk 3:20 ). 10:34a CHRIST will not bring peace to our world until He returns at His Second Coming (Lk 2:14). 10:34 b Jesus said that His initial coming would separate families via the “ sword ” of God’s Word (Heb 4:12). 10:36 As heartbreaking as these divisions are ( And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household ), a true disciple must not let his natural affections for his family cause any weakening of his devotion to Christ. 10:38 This is the first mention of the cross in the New Testament. As disciples, we can give our life away (as did Abraham - Heb 11:8-16) or we can throw it away (as did Lot - Gen 13:5-13), but either way we are sure to lose it; we cannot keep it (vs 39). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose 10:39 You can invest in the eternal and give your life away or you can invest in the temporal and throw it away, but either way you’re going to lose it, so you may as well invest it in the future. 10:40-42 Those who are not called to be prophets (vs 41), righteous ones (vs 41), or disciples (vs 42), may share in the labor and reward of those who are called by simply supporting their ministries (the meaning behind “ he shall in no wise lose his reward ” – I Ki 18:1-16). The Lord Himself will one day reward the smallest service done to the most insignificant of Christ’s servants (“ one of these little ones ”). NOTE – There are three terms used in verses 40-42 to describe the servants of God: * prophet (Exo 15:20, Judg 4:4, II Ki 22:14, Isa 8:3 and Lk 2:36 & 11:49-51) * righteous man (Gen 6:8-9 & 7:1/II Pet 2:5 and Amos 7:14-15) * disciple (Acts 9:36-41 and Lk 9:1-6 & 14:25-33) While not every believer is called to a position of service, every believer can serve, and in serving the servants of God they can receive the same reward.

1 Davidman, Joy, Smoke on the Mountain, Philadelphia, PA, The Westminister Press, 1953. Print 2 Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words . Vol 1. Old Tappan, NJ, Fleming H. Revell Co. 1940. Print.