Life Recovery Bible - Flipbook - Page 26
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will be handed over to the courts and will
be flogged with whips in the synagogues.
18
You will stand trial before governors and
kings because you are my followers. But this
will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and
other unbelievers about me.* 19 When you are
arrested, don’t worry about how to respond
or what to say. God will give you the right
words at the right time. 20 For it is not you
who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of
your Father speaking through you.
21
“A brother will betray his brother to
death, a father will betray his own child, and
children will rebel against their parents and
cause them to be killed. 22 And all nations
will hate you because you are my followers.*
But everyone who endures to the end will
be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one
town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth,
the Son of Man* will return before you have
reached all the towns of Israel.
24
“Students* are not greater than their
teacher, and slaves are not greater than their
master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher,
and slaves are to be like their master. And
since I, the master of the household, have
been called the prince of demons,* the members of my household will be called by even
worse names!
26
“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten
you. For the time is coming when everything
that is covered will be revealed, and all that is
secret will be made known to all. 27 What I tell
you now in the darkness, shout abroad when
daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear,
shout from the housetops for all to hear!
28
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to
kill your body; they cannot touch your soul.
Fear only God, who can destroy both soul
and body in hell.* 29 What is the price of two
sparrows—one copper coin*? But not a single
sparrow can fall to the ground without your
Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on
your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be
afraid; you are more valuable to God than a
whole flock of sparrows.
32
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge
before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone
who denies me here on earth, I will also deny
before my Father in heaven.
34
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring
peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace,
but a sword.
35
36
‘I have come to set a man against
his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law.
Your enemies will be right in your
own household!’*
37
“If you love your father or mother more
than you love me, you are not worthy of
being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of
being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your
cross and follow me, you are not worthy of
being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you
will lose it; but if you give up your life for me,
you will find it.
40
“Anyone who receives you receives me,
and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. 41 If you receive a prophet
0:18 Or But this will be your testimony against the rulers and other unbelievers.
1
10:22 Greek on account of my name.
10:23 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. 10:24 Or Disciples.
10:25 Greek Beelzeboul; other manuscripts
read Beezeboul; Latin version reads Beelzebub.
10:28 Greek Gehenna.
10:29 Greek one assarion [i.e., one “as,”
a Roman coin equal to 1/16 of a denarius]. 10:35-36 Mic 7:6.
10:16-26 Those of us living for God and pursuing recovery may feel like sheep in the presence
of wolves. But when wisdom and honesty define our behavior and relationships, we can face the
inevitable misunderstandings and persecutions. Jesus suffered much at the hands of godless men,
and those who are committed to him often receive similar treatment. If we persevere in following
God’s will for us, we will receive a great reward in heaven (see 5:11-12).
10:39 The only way to find life (and get control of it) is to submit to God through Jesus Christ.
When we live for ourselves, we become slaves to material success, work, alcohol, illicit sex, or any
number of other destructive behaviors. We have lost control of our lives and are in trouble. By
turning to Jesus, we allow him to free us of our addictions and show us the way to real life—a life
free of destructive dependencies. As we obey God, we will find meaning in our present life and
eternal peace with God.
11:2-6 Doubt is a troubling reality for those of us in recovery. We doubt ourselves, and we doubt
others. Even John the Baptist doubted that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the one who would
come to offer physical and spiritual healing to his people. Jesus answered John’s doubts by pointing to his miraculous healings and restorations. Such an impressive résumé should also convince
us that Jesus is willing and able to meet even our greatest needs for recovery and restoration.
