On the surface, this reading from Matthew’s gospel is a strange sounding, and somewhat puzzling passage. It is one we could easily dismiss since it is specifically addressed to the original 12 disciples. The text is part of a lengthy chapter detailing the instructions Jesus gives to those 12 prior to that first “missionary” effort. Since this appears to be a private tutoring lesson for Jesus’ small class of first century followers, we excuse ourselves from paying attention to the words. What could they possibly have to do with us in this last decade of the 20th century? No one has been called “Beelzebub” in centuries; we live in a society that will not kill the body simply for venturing out in the name of Christ; we tolerate sparrows and would not think of purchasing them, even at the barg…