Expect Persecution

 N.T.#112 "Expect Persecution"

July 18, 2023

Matthew 10-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Are you being ridiculed and persecuted for being a believer in Jesus and following His teachings and Word? Read on dear one.

As sheep among wolves, what did Jesus warn the disciples about? Religious persecution, since they were sent to the Jews. The disciples would be dragged into religious courts, tried for heresy, and blasphemy, then punished severely. In today's times, the church, Christians, and believers in Jesus can expect the same thing when they point out the Word of God, wickedness, hypocrisy, and false teaching. How strong is our faith and committment to Jesus and the Gospel?

Secondly, Jesus warned the disciples of governmental persecution. Not only would they be mistreated at the hands of their fellow Jews, but also governors and kings would persecute the disciples. (verse 18) Agrippa, Herod Antipas, and emperors persecuted and killed those early followers of Jesus Christ for their message. 

Why were they persecuted? for My sake. (verse 18) It was because they were followers of Jesus. For a testimony against them and the Gentiles. They did not want to hear about their sin and being lost sinners in need of a Savior, for they had THE JEWISH LAW. 

The modern equivalent might be a president or dictator, a supreme court, a congress, or a parliament. How were the disciples to respond?

• Don't be anxious, taking no thought about all of this.
• Don't prepare the message ahead of time. Trust the Holy Spirit to tell them what to say in each situation they faced. (verse 19)
• Allow the Spirit of your Father to speak through you. (verse 20)

LET IT GROW

The third persecution the disciples should have expected was that of the domestic and cultural persecution. Leaders of their own religious community, the synagogues, would turn against the disciples and their message.

• Family will rise up against you. (verse 21)
• Close relatives would ridicule, berate the, disown them, shun them, even become angry considering the disciples had betrayed their Jewish brothers, children or parents. 
• Be innocent as doves. (verse 16)
• Know that the world hates the Lord Jesus Christ, whom Christians love, worship, and obey. (John 15:18-21)
• Most would experience death for following Jesus.
• A reward awaited them for their faithfulness. 

Like the disciples, we are to keep on keeping on spreading the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christs our Lord and Savior. Keep persevering even when it seems unbearable, knowing that even if they kill the body, our soul is eternally saved!

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev. 2:10)

It is the persecutors that should be afraid for God's eternal judgment!

[Resource: Swindoll's Living Insights on Matthew]

LET IT GO

May we do Your will, Your way, today, I pray.

No matter the cost, help us proclaim the Truth-Jesus Christ is the only Way to heaven.