What should our attitude be in the face of hatred and irrational dislike? The reading for today seeks to answer that question in the context of Christian discipleship. In it Jesus tells his followers: "A disciple is not above the teacher. Nor is a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household" (Matthew 10:24-15).
As we noted earlier, the Gospel of Matthew is intended as a handbook for Christian discipleship. The words of comfort and command which Jesus speaks to his twelve companions are in fact addressed by the Holy Spirit to the whole Church, and to each of us specifically. This word's for you—and me.
Now some of the Lord's specific instructions do not seem to be addressed to us, and to the modern Christian some of his commands give the impression of being impossible or even absurd. But we have to take into account the situation of Matthew's first century church, a beleaguered Jewish congregation under fierce opposition from the synagogue down the street. The opposition we face is quite different, but the principles Jesus gives for dealing with it apply equally to us.
Matthew's church was involved in a tragic family feud. The Jewish community was divided, and the reason was Jesus. As we all know, these most vicious fights are within families, and this was a hum-dinger. This was a knock-down, drag-out between two factions of the same extended family—the family of Abraham. In our reading for today the risen Lord is quoted as saying—"Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace but the sword" (10:34). The Christian gospel is as often the principle of division as it is of unity. Jesus makes a list of the family relationships that will be disrupted by lit.
For those involved, this was a deadly serious matter. In ancient times in both the Jewish and Gentile worlds the position of the family in society was invincible. Loyalty to the family—and to the people or nation as an extended family--transcended all other allegiances. Parents exerted life and death power over their children. Family ties, the bonds created of blood and clan, trumped all others. It is no wonder that Christianity, which called its followers to place their ultimate loyalty not in family, clan, or nation, but to the Lord Jesus—see Matthew 10:37-39--was looked upon as a dangerous and subversive movement by all.
So in the context of this nasty family feud some people on the other side of the fence were saying some bad, bad things about Jesus. The Church called him Lord; their enemies called him Beelzebul, which means literally "the lord of the flies." It was the Jewish name for the prince of demons; it derives from the Canaanite fertility god Baal so roundly condemned by the OT prophets. It means Satan. So the Lord tells his followers; If they call me—"the master of the house"—Satan, you can imagine what they will call you, the members of my household. So don't be surprised, and so far as possible don't let their slander and hateful language get to you. Remember, it is me they hate, Jesus says. I am the reason.
And that is what we need to remember. If you take your call to Christian discipleship at all seriously, someone is going to hate you for it, just as they hated Jesus. In Matthew's gospel he is the Loving Teacher of the Church. He calls upon his students to study his life—what he does and the way he lives--and to seek to be like him. It is neither easy to do that nor impossible. All we can do is try, but trying is enough. "It is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher," the risen Lord says to the Church, "and the slave like the master." The person of Jesus is a life's study, and imitating it is a life's work—a work never finished.
But you will know whenever you have any small success in imitating Jesus because you will arouse the same animosity that he aroused. The Church has always been puzzled by the hatred it inspired, but in our reading the Holy Spirit speaks to assure the perplexed and wounded that this is how it will always be. Haters hate. It is a spiritual law. But the Lord comforts us with the knowledge that it is he and not us who is the target of their animosity. Where there is Christ there is opposition. "You're nobody 'til somebody hates you"--I once heard my Mama remark. She said it sadly, because there was never anyone who so much wanted to be loved as she did. But if you live as a disciple, if you are faithful, your master's enemies will be yours as well. It is a sad situation, but for now that's how it is.
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