Jesus was the ultimate realist.
He told His followers exactly what to do with His Word: share it. Give it away without cost, because “You received without paying; give without pay” (Matthew 10:8).
And He also told the disciples exactly what types of responses to expect from people. Some would receive the Word with repentance and faith because Jesus promised that “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
But many will also reject the Word and those who share it because the gospel, as Paul wrote, “is folly to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Jesus repeatedly told the disciples to expect ridicule, hatred, persecution, and even martyrdom. I believe it is wise for us to reflect on this often, so we will not be surprised when it happens.
The extent of this opposition varies greatly, from the not-so-subtle rolling of the eyes when a co-worker discovers that you are a Christian, to the physical violence that believers experience every day throughout the world, especially in Muslim countries, from both government and family.
Consider these words spoken by Jesus:
“You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 10:22)
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:34-36)
My personal experience with persecution has been limited. When I became a Christian, my family did not ostracize or disown me. In fact, they supported me. The only time I can remember being verbally abused by a non-Christian was during my 35-year career as a tax accountant. When one of my clients found out I was a Christian, he loved to make fun of me and call me an idiot for believing the Bible. We had many conversations about Christianity, and he did most of the talking. We would meet to do his tax return and end up spending most of the time discussing his objections to the faith. Nothing I said made a dent in his worldview.
What are we to do when faced with such a negative response to the gospel?
Again I turn to what Jesus said:
“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 (a synonym for Satan), how much more will they malign those of his household.” (Matthew 10:24-25)
During His earthy ministry, some people responded to Jesus with love and devotion. But most people rejected Jesus. And so they will reject us, too. Expect it. Do not be alarmed by it. And persevere in spite of it.
Jesus was the most loving person who ever lived. He loved like no one ever loved. Those who accepted Him and His message were welcomed with open arms into His kingdom and His family. And those first disciples, along with throngs of others who have submitted to His reign over the centuries, will live in His glorious presence forever.
Yet because Jesus spoke the truth of God, He was ridiculed, laughed at, mocked, and killed.
Why should we expect to be treated any differently? “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
For my favorite resources on sharing the Bible, please visit . . .
https://GodWroteTheBook.com/resources-how-to-share-the-bible/
- Why Jesus Is Called the “Everlasting Father” - December 20, 2024
- The Mighty Power of Jesus - December 17, 2024
- The Wonderful Wonder of Jesus - December 9, 2024
