“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord” (Matthew 10:24). This statement was made by Christ to the twelve apostles. He had just given them power to perform miracles. He was sending them out to preach. They were to go only to Jewish cities.

    He was telling them that as his disciples or apostles they should not expect to be treated any better than he had been treated. The Pharisees and Scribes followed him around (and continued to do so until His death). They constantly accused him of being from the Devil. In Matthew 9:32-35, they had done exactly that.

    Later, Jesus was killed. The apostles were not to expect any better treatment. They taught the truth, but unfortunately, many individuals did not want to hear the truth.

    Many professed Christians today need to consider this. Many today want to think that the life of a Christian is a bed of roses. Some preachers even preach that if one is a true Christian that he will be rich and live in luxury. They preach that all one’s material wants will be answered. Such is not true. A person may be very fortunate and be rich, but a Christian should not ‘expect’ any more than what Christ had. A Christian should not ‘expect’ to be treated any better than Christ was treated.

    Christ did not have a permanent home in which to sleep during his three-year ministry. He was not believed by some of his own family. He was run out of his hometown. He was killed by his countrymen. A Christian should feel blessed if he avoids any of this — because a servant is not above his Lord.

    Study your Bible. Learn how to obey Jesus. Learn to appreciate your blessings. Make up your mind to follow Jesus no matter what happens to you. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

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Assemble Yourselves

    “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save” (Isaiah 45:20).

    Most commentators agree that Isaiah 45:20-25 is a prophecy relating to the church. The passage tells of the glory of God. It tells that He is the one to be worshipped. It tells that all men have the responsibility to obey God. It tells that all who do not come to God and obey Him will be ashamed.

    The word assemble in verse 20 comes from a Hebrew word that means assemble into a specific group. This word means more than just a simple assembling. There is a special purpose for the assembling. Those assembling realize that they are a special group.

    Many today profess to be Christians. Yet, they say that it is not necessary to be part of a special group. They say that a person can be a part of one of many different groups and still be a child of God. However, that is not what this passage says. This passage says that those who are followers of God draw near to one another. They are part of a special group. If one can be a follower of God and be a part of any one of 1000 different groups, then one is not a part of a special group. One is just part of any group.

   Desire to be a part of the special group of people who are true Christians. Assemble with that group. Study your Bible. Learn what is necessary to be a part of God’s special group of people. Learn what is necessary when you assemble with that group. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.