Matthew 10:24-25 24A disciple is not above his teacher nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple that he might be like his teacher and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household.
Jesus gives a timeless principle in the form of an illustration with an implied application to disciples. By definition, a disciple is one who learns from and follows a teacher. Being a follower requires humility and recognition of the position of the teacher. A servant has no choice in being under a master. The key point is that both a student and servant recognize the authority of those over them. Disciples of Jesus must recognize his authority, which has been one of the key themes in the last three chapters of Matthew.
The goal for disciples and servants is to become like their master. Our goal as Jesus’ followers is to become like him, to imitate him in what we say (preaching and teaching) and what we do (healing). Jesus sends out his disciples (including us who accept his lordship in our lives) with his authority and presence. We cannot have an authority of our own but only his authority through which we do his calling.
The implied application of this is given at the end of verse 25 and more explicitly in verse 26. The Jews interpreted Beelzebul to be the prince of demons and called Jesus this in derision (12:24). The they of this verse refers to the Jewish leaders and Pharisees. They would ridicule and persecute Jesus, and would do the same to disciples. As Jesus’ followers, we should expect the same kind of reaction from those who reject Jesus.
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