January 27, 2026

Matthew 10:16-25  (HCSB)
Persecutions Predicted
16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves. 17 Because people will hand you over to sanhedrins and flog you in their synagogues, beware of them. 18 You will even be brought before governors and kings because of Me, to bear witness to them and to the nations. 19 But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, 20 because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will even rise up against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. 23 When they persecute you in one town, escape to another. For I assure you: You will not have covered the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more the members of his household!

T.W. Mitchell
Jesus provided us much to learn from His life. His love, compassion and wisdom are unmatched. He also taught us much about teaching, preaching, counseling and testimonies. He used four distinct styles of teaching from which we can learn: parables, epigrams, questions and answers, and object lessons. Epigrams are short powerful statements with huge meanings. Most of these are used in this chapter. We can gather enough insight in today’s passage that reveals Christian living isn’t always fun. To help us be ready for the challenges ahead we ought to be reading and studying His Word daily. The books of James and Proverbs are full of helps for everyday experiences. If we are going to be like sheep among wolves, ridiculed, insulted, and persecuted, how are we not going to be anxious? Even family members may turn us away for faith in Christ or our faith can jeopardize our job. Though verses 21-23 are predictions of persecution in the tribulation days (Matt 24:9-14), we experience rejections today. To know for sure you will not have to endure the tribulation and/or eternal life without Christ, humbly receive His grace and forgiveness. By knowing Jesus Christ in your heart, as Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)