As in every chapter in Matthew, there’s lots going on, here: the names of the twelve apostles, Jesus’ declaration that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, his sending the disciples out to preach, his warning that his disciples will face opposition but that the Holy Spirit will be with them and give them words to speak, Jesus’ assurance that his disciples are “of more value than many sparrows” (10:31), and his encouragement to us to take up our crosses and follow him.
One matter sort of stands out to me. When Jesus observes that his disciples will be hated by all for his name’s sake (10:22), he assures, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (10:22). The one who remains faithful in the face of persecution. The one who continues the fight against sin in his or her life. The one who, though discouraged, continues to trust God. The one who runs back to the cross over and over again. The one who rests in Jesus and continues to believe his promises even when everything seems to scream, “How foolish to rest on those promises!”
Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God. --Russell Kelso Carter (1886)
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