Bible Reading: Genesis 30: 1–31: 16 Matthew 10: 1-23 Psalm 12: 1-8 Proverbs 3:13-15
In Matthew 10:15 Jesus speaks to degrees of punishment in hell. Sodom and Gomorrah were unbelievably wicked and are destined, as it says in Jude, for eternal fire. Relatively speaking, the cities of Israel were less wicked, but Jesus says that in the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah. He further makes his point in Chapter 11 by pronouncing woe on the cities of Israel who refused to repent despite the “mighty works” that were done in them. These cities had experienced both the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus. Much light was given them and therefore they had a greater responsibility in their decision to reject Him. To whom much is given, much is required.
17 "But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
18 "You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
20 "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.—Matt 10:17-20
—I like that Jesus warns us ahead of time of things that will happen...
—I like that He tells us that His Spirit will be with us and will give us the words we should speak...
—I especially like that He tells us why. Opposition and persecution provide opportunities for evangelism at every level...even at the highest levels of government...
But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel...What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.—Philippians 1:16,18
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Matthew 10:15/Matthew 11:11
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Matthew 10:15/Matthew 11:11
In Matthew 10:15 Jesus speaks to degrees of punishment in hell. Sodom and Gomorrah were unbelievably wicked and are destined, as it says in Jude, for eternal fire. Relatively speaking, the cities of Israel were less wicked, but Jesus says that in the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah. He further makes his point in Chapter 11 by pronouncing woe on the cities of Israel who refused to repent despite the “mighty works” that were done in them. These cities had experienced both the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus. Much light was given them and therefore they had a greater responsibility in their decision to reject Him. To whom much is given, much is required.
Luke 12:48 (NKJV)
"But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
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