24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!”
This section (10:24-42) deals with the fear of confessing Christ openly and the reasons for not letting fear overtake us.
10:24
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
Jesus just warned His apostles that they would face persecution (v. 23). They might have wondered why they had to face this. Jesus anticipated this and established a principle for them—their relationship to Jesus is the reason for their problems.
10:25
It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.
A disciple is a follower; the apostles were to follow Jesus in His sufferings.
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death… Php 3:10
If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!
“Beelzebub” means lord of the flies. He was a Philistine, Ekronite god that the Jews used as a symbol for Satan, the prince of demons. That was a great slander to Jesus’ name.
PRINCIPLE:
Those who have a relationship with Jesus need to expect treatment no different than what He received.
APPLICATION:
Jesus does not ask us for something that He did not experience Himself. If men persecuted Jesus while on earth, should we expect anything less?
Jesus did not mask problems that we face; He put them right out there for all to see. In effect, He invites us to fellowship in His sufferings:
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.1 Pe 4:12-13
The disciple is not greater than his Lord.
