Living by Example and Expecting Difficulty
In chapter 49 Jacob gathers all of his sons around
to address them before they die. One thing of notice here is that by all
indication this address which includes praise and judgment is done in private. While
there are rare times to do these types of things in public, there is a general
approach that we see that it is done
straightforward, to the point, honestly, but amongst each other, not for the
world to see.
How many times in today's world do we like to stand on pedestals and look like
we are all that to the world around us involving things that should be done
privately? We also see here that the 12
sons of Jacob are what are later known as the 12 tribes of Israel. Right after talking to his sons, Jacob one of
the leaders of the Christian faith, dies.
Joseph shows deep compassion for his father at the point of his father's death. We see Jacob has a great deal of respect from the powers that be in Egypt. In today's standards you would say he had an elaborate state funeral where the whole nation turns out to show respect. Part of that was the way Jacob handled himself around others. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a time to be bold and to the point, we see that in Jacob in the previous chapter, but the way he did things was respected by others.
With the death of Jacob the brothers are afraid that Joseph may take their past out on them, yet Joseph is moved to tears because he loves his brothers. While he has power he can exercise he chooses to act in love and compassion. Do we do that? There are times it is best to remove the obstacles around us but that doesn't mean we don't love those removed.
Joseph was a man of integrity that loved his family and saw the work of God without complaining about his past. That is a test for us as well. How do we look at the negative things in our lives? Do we use them as motivators to move on and make us better, or do we hold on to grudges and complain about our situation? In these regards, Joseph and Jacob are most definitely examples to follow.
Matthew 10,
At the start of Chapter 10 we see Jesus is calling
forth his apostles. One of the common mistakes many make in today's church is
not distinguishing the difference between Jesus 12 apostles and the disciples.
Many often times confuse the two. While an apostle is also a disciple, it is
possible to be a disciple without being an apostle. The initial 12 had a
purpose and role quite different than the multitudes of disciples that followed
Jesus.
In Jesus 12 Apostles we see men coming from all walks of life, from fishermen to a tax collector. Men who like those in leadership in the church today should mirror society.
As the disciples are sent out Jesus makes a strange request, but if we think about it the request shows the planning nature of Jesus. He wasn't up to doing something without thinking about it. He knew he had to win over the Jews and those in the surrounding area first. He also has the apostles and disciples going out to do their work without the expectation of getting paid. They are to stay in homes and be grateful for what they have. Give blessings if blessings are deserved and pull the blessings if the people were not welcoming. Jesus clearly had a plan as we know from the teachings that come up later. It wasn't that Jesus didn't care about the Gentiles, (non Jews,) we know He did, but again, there was a plan.
During this send off, Jesus knows early on there is going to be trouble and warns those He is sending out. Everything from beatings to death can be expected. The message He is sending them out with will challenge the establishment, traditional aspects of faith and the very belief of who Jesus is to the people who are being taught by those Jesus is sending out.
Do we take seriously the challenge of sharing Jesus despite the consequence? Are we so caught up in protecting ourselves that we aren't willing to make the sacrifices of ultimately showing others love? That was the expectation Jesus sent forth His followers with.
Jesus also assures his followers that despite hard times, not if, but when they occur, the reward and protections He offers is greater in the end. That is not to say they, or we won't experience tough times, but neither will they endure. The glories and rewards God has for our spirits and souls are what will endure. Jesus speaks a reward here, you tell others you belong to me, I'll make sure to tell my Father in Heaven that you belong to me. Again, it's the same today, there will be difficulty, even today.
So many in today's world preach and apparently live an "everything is wonderful and we are going to be blessed with wealth, health, and anything we want," world. This is in direct contradiction to what Jesus is teaching here if we look at the context of His teaching, in fact, He is telling us to expect just the opposite.
At the conclusion of this chapter, Jesus makes sure that those who do show love and compassion to those he is sending out are just as valuable as the ones they are showing love to. In some ways we see illustrated here a point of theology known as The Priesthood of All Believers, that is, we are all valuable to the Kingdom of God and we all have a purpose where the purpose of serving the one who is preaching is just as valuable as the one preaching. This says so much as to our witness towards others the importance of what we do. It is here, that Chapter 10 concludes.
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