As Jesus amazes the multitudes with signs and wonders, including the opening of blind eyes and the loosing of the stilled tongue, the scribes and Pharisees mock and scoff, claiming He is performing miracles in the name of Beelzebub (the devil). Nevertheless, Jesus' heart melted with compassion over the multitudes, who He saw as sheep without a shepherd. He instructed His disciples to pray that more laborers be sent out to the bring in the harvest of human souls for the kingdom.
In Chapter 10, we see a tough, straight-talking Jesus who makes it very clear that His disciples will suffer much in sharing the Gospel with Israel. However, He also told them they would be fully provided for and protected in doing what was required. He exhorted them to be as wise as serpents but to be as gentle as doves, and that as He was demonized, mocked and scoffed, they, too, would be treated in a similar manner. He warned them that a servant is not above His master. Many of us today who step out and share God's word with the world have suffered this type of persecution.
Jesus also gave a warning touching the End Times (the period leading up to 70 AD and the destruction of the temple system and the city of Jerusalem). He warned them that they would be beaten, perhaps killed, betrayed by family, that they would basically lose their worldly life in finding their true life, which is the life of the spirit of God. Jesus makes no bones about the fact that those who refuse to leave worldly desires and pressures, perhaps even from family, are not worthy of being His disciples; those who refuse to acknowledge Him will not be acknowledged by Him before the heavenly Father. Essentially, Christianity is a commitment to be 100% sold out to Jesus. This is a black and white issue - there are no shades of gray!
Make the decision today and move forward IN Christ Jesus!
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