An identity worth clinging too

Quick thoughts on Genesis 11 and Matthew 10:

Following the Mccheyne bible reading plan, I read Gen 11 and Matt 10 today. Gen 11 includes, of course, the story of Babel (the city as much as the tower). The building of which was so that they may make a name for themselves so that they would not be dispersed (read: 'driven from their homes'). Although you can make a big deal about it, the story is at it's heart a demonstration that what humanity does will never bring it security, but that God can sweep away the most powerful without a breaking a sweat. There is no use building your own name, on the foundations as shaky as your own strength.

In Matthew, Jesus is also concerned about the name people identify with. He predicts that the disciples will be hated for identifying with him ('for my names sake') and the whole chapter is concerned with how following Jesus does not lead to blissful peace (now), but that the sword accompanies his representatives. From our perspective the Babylonians (people of Babel) had a great name and nothing to fear any longer now they had built there city and made their name great. The disciple of Jesus in contrast has little hope of an easy ride while clinging to Jesus' name and neglecting their own. However Matt 10 while full of dire predictions is regularly interspersed with hope worth clinging too. God will accept no rivals to his great name, and Jesus (and those united with him) will rule in power given by God....

• 'Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.' (31-33)
• 'whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.' (v. 39)
• 'whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward' (v. 42)

PS I think it is great to read a passage and think of the thousands worldwide reading the same. United with unknown brothers and sisters and sharing a common hope. Come Lord Jesus.