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- Persecution is Guaranteed | Matthew 10:16-25
Persecution is Guaranteed | Matthew 10:16-25
You will never be liked by everyone
Following Jesus means doing as He did.
But it also means that following Jesus means that we’ll get the same treatment as He did.
Though that’s not the best marketing campaign for Christianity, the end result more than makes up for it.
But we’re called to suffer persecution nonetheless.
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 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.
Jesus tells the disciples straight up that they will be harshly persecuted before He sends them out.
But He sends them anyway.
He knows that the disciples will be beaten, mocked, and hated. He knows that they’ll be martyred for His sake.
But He sends them anyway.
Because the world needs to hear the good news.
And though Jesus tells them that they will be persecuted for His sake, He also guarantees them that the ones who persevere will be saved.
And if Jesus says it, I’m inclined to agree.
Have a blessed Friday, my friends.