Shepherding Notes - January 14, 2026
By Caleb Bunch

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
- Matthew 10:24-25

In this passage, Jesus borrowed a well-known saying from the first-century Jewish community. “A disciple is not above his teacher.” In doing so, He was reminding the disciples that He was indeed their Teacher and Master. What are the realistic expectations of someone who is the student or servant of a famous and well-loved teacher? Disciples who found themselves in that kind of scenario would anticipate to be treated with kindness, respect, and generosity. People may even butter them up just to get closer to their master.

Jesus set forward very different expectations for His disciples. The Messiah was not universally loved and accepted. The world, especially the elites, were diametrically opposed to Him. They had gone so far as to call Him Beelzebul. If the Master is maligned, hated, and cast out of society, how much more should the loyal servants of that Master expect the same or worse?

Our Old Testament connection today is this figure, Beelzebul. If there is a singular pagan deity in the Old Testament that is highlighted above the rest, it is certainly Baal. Nearly all of the Northern Kingdom was subsumed into Ahab and Jezebel’s cult of Baal. Elijah came along and undermined that entire enterprise during his mountain top contest in which Yahweh alone could send fire from heaven.

But, Ahab and Jezebel’s son, Ahaziah, continued on in idolatry. After falling from his roof and suffering a major injury, he did not inquire of God for help, but instead inquired of a pagan deity. Instead of worshiping the defunct god Baal, his preferred flavor of idolatry was for Baalzebul. In the Caananite languages surrounding Israel, the name Baalzebul meant “Lord Prince, or Lord of the Exalted House.” This likely indicates that Baal was their religion’s version of God the Father, and Baalzebul was the prince, or son. Baalzebul is literally a pagan counterfeit son of god.

The name Baalzebul has a different, more apt meaning: Lord of the flies. Over time, the name came to be a title for Satan himself. And, as the language changed, the name shifted to Beelzebul, which means “Lord of dung.” This is a fitting name for the devil. Yet, this is the pejorative moniker the Pharisees assigned to King Jesus. It is an incredible thing that Jesus didn’t vaporize them where they stood, or turn their tongues to sand in their mouths. But, in His infinite patience, He endured the scoffing as He kept the mission of salvation always in view. We, as His disciples, should expect similar treatment and should learn to respond in the same manner – full of grace and truth.

New Testament Reading – Matthew 10

Old Testament Reading – Genesis 38-39