Matthew 10:16-33

John sits reflecting on the island of Patmos. It is already more than sixty years since these things happened. So much water has flowed into the sea, and so much has happened! He is the only one of the twelve men left. All his old friends died cruel deaths - they were all persecuted and tortured, except, of course, Judas, who took his own life. But Jesus predicted exactly this! John still clearly remembers the day Jesus sent them out for the first time. He said He was sending them out like sheep among wolves!

But it was not only the twelve. Many others suffered the same fate. Jews who became Christians were despised by their own people and called traitors because they had given up the Jewish faith. In many cases, they were cruelly persecuted. Just think of how Paul, before his conversion, went around having people thrown into prison left, right and centre. He was even involved in Stephen’s murder! Yes, you can describe it as nothing other than murder! John still remembers how the believers lived in fear of Paul. Later, that very same Paul had to walk exactly the same road. On one occasion, he was even stoned and left for dead! The believers suffered terribly. They lost all their standing in society and, along with it, usually their income too.

Today, John understands Jesus’ words only too well. Back then, they were a serious warning. Now they comfort him as he sits on Patmos, an outcast in exile. When Jesus sent him and his friends out, His warning was not only about the martyrdom that lay ahead, but especially about God’s care and protection when it happened.

John smiles as he remembers the day he and Peter were dragged before the Jewish council. The council tried to intimidate them into no longer preaching the Gospel. Their reply was: “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Strangely enough, he was not afraid at all that day! The two of them did not shrink back in fear. They simply surrendered themselves completely to the Holy Spirit. The words and the strength were certainly not their own! They came from beyond themselves. No wonder the council members were so amazed at them. They did not have the education those council members had. They were just ordinary, unschooled men who caught fish for a living.

Today, we must remember that these accounts were written down two thousand years ago. Circumstances have, of course, changed completely since then. Yet even today, we still see the same things happening that Matthew, Luke and John wrote about. Their message still comforts us in circumstances that are often difficult. It is especially in Muslim-dominated countries that Christians today suffer terribly and are often handed over to their persecutors because of their faith.

When we read these accounts, it can almost seem as though the Jewish Christians were a bunch of troublemakers. But that was not the case at all, and the Lord certainly does not want you to deliberately make yourself a martyr. It is simply not natural to seek suffering on purpose. When suffering is unavoidable, however, we must act with dignity and use that very opportunity to share the Gospel honestly and sincerely.

Take, for example, the time Paul and Silas were in prison. They had first been badly beaten and then chained up deep inside a filthy, stinking dungeon. If it had been me, I would probably have sat there groaning and feeling terribly sorry for myself. But what did they do? They sang songs of praise! In doing so, they achieved two things. Firstly, it helped take their minds off their own pain for a while and surely made them feel better. Secondly, they became a witness, not only to their fellow prisoners, but also to the authorities. So much so that the jailer and his whole family came to faith that very night and met Jesus as their Saviour.

When we read this conversation between Jesus and His disciples today, we tend to focus entirely on the persecution, suffering and even threats of death. But this passage is actually far more about God’s protection, help, love and support should these things come our way. It also teaches us that, when you are persecuted for your faith, you should not retaliate or try to force the Gospel message on others through violence. Instead, surrender yourself to God’s grace. Share Jesus’ love that serves others and wins their hearts, even if it leads to suffering and martyrdom!

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for reminding us again today that You will carry us through every circumstance, even when we are persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. Thank You for Your wonderful comfort!