Matthew - Counting the Cost

In today's study from Matthew 10:24-33, our Lord commissions his disciples to take the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout Israel but warns them to be prepared to pay the cost.

The Cost

vv.24-31 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.  (25)  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?  (26)  Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.  (27)  What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.  (28)  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  (29)  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  (30)  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  (31)  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

In these verses we see what it was to cost them. He simply tells them that they same way he was treated; they would be treated. In the end, it happened exactly that way in that it cost all of them their lives with the exception of John. Andrew was crucified.  Bartholomew was beaten and then crucified.  James, the son of Alphaeus was stoned to death.  James, the son of Zebedee was beheaded.  Judas (not Iscariot) was stoned to death.  Matthew was speared to death.  Peter was crucified upside down.  Philip was crucified.  Simon was crucified.  Thomas was speared to death.  Matthias was stoned to death. 

Paul said the same thing in 2Co 6:4-10; and lest we think that Paul was all talk and not walk, take a look at 2Co 11:24-28.

The Reward

vv.32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  (33)  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

In these verses we see what they were going to get in return: they will be confessed before the Father which is in heaven. By the way, these verses have absolutely nothing to do with altar calls. Jesus is talking about the act of daily walking the walk and talking the talk. Sadly many Christians today do not walk the talk. They are much better at talking than walking.

Listen to me, if you are afraid to air the controversial truths of God’s Word to a dying world, you either need to get saved, or repent for being a coward.

Our Lord never had a problem with purposefully thinning out the crowd.