1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. – Comment: A stern warning, which knowing myself a little but not as well as God knows me, this is very sobering!
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Comment: This is also a very sobering passage! Particularly reading the papers these days! One recent article says that ‘In 2023, an estimated 5,621 Christians were killed for their faith.’ And it seems a waste of life if what Jesus said about the way to heaven is not true! He was prepared, although guiltless, to die for us. I wouldn’t find it easy, but pray that God would give me the strength to be martyred for Him! It is not common here in the West but there is much political and personal anti-Christian feeling in many countries throughout the world today. May we keep our heads high and stand tall for Jesus! He died for us!
8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. – Comment: These are the promises of the Man who is now at the right of the Father as our Advocate and High Priest, who has paid the price of our redemption, made effective if we have called upon Him as our Saviour and Lord! He is completely trustworthy!
Proverbs 24: 16 – For the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
Prayer: I humbly pray for the grace to be faithful to You, my Lord, whatever befalls me.
As I read it! 