These words must have been disturbing to the disciples for sure. Jesus never "sugar-coated" the truth.
Here's what JC Ryle sees in our Lord's words:
"He tells His disciples that they will be cast out of the Jewish Church, and persecuted even to death:--How strange that seems at first sight! Excommunication, suffering, and death, are the portion that the Prince of Peace predicts to His disciples. So far from receiving them and their message with gratitude, the world would hate them, despitefully use them, and put them to death. And, worst of all, their persecutors would actually persuade themselves that it was right to persecute, and would inflict the cruelest injuries in the sacred name of religion.
How true the prediction has turned out! Like every other prophecy of Scripture, it has been fulfilled to the very letter. The Acts of the Apostles show us how the unbelieving Jews persecuted the early Christians. The pages of history tell us what horrible crimes have been committed by the Popish Inquisition. The annals of our own country inform us how our holy Reformers were burned at the stake for their religion, by men who professed to do all they did from zeal for pure Christianity. Unlikely and incredible as it might seem at the time, the great Prophet of the Church has been found in this, as in everything else, to have predicted nothing but literal truth."
Could the Church in America, the genuine believers who love Christ and the truth of the Gospel, ever be persecuted like this? Could Christians in America ever be put to death for simply living for the Lord, and speaking the truth in love and gratitude? Something to think about for sure in our dark times.
The Lord is sovereign and His hand will never leave its hold it has upon us. The Father's hand as well has a loving firm grip upon each and every one of His beloved children, those who love Him, and have repented and trusted in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Do you love God? Do you love Jesus Christ? Would you die for Him, and His truth? I hope by His grace, if the time ever comes to, I would be able to. It's hard enough to live for Christ, but to be persecuted and killed.
The Apostle Paul prayed to the Lord to take away his persecution, and the Lord said: "My grace is sufficient for you Paul." The Lord loved Paul, and called him to suffer much, but His grace and presence was strong upon him. So much so, that Paul said: "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
7 comments:
I would like to think I would. I do ponder dieing for him the way he did for us. when I I sit and think of what he did I just tear up!
Our Savior gave His all for us, didn't He. Lord bless.
A funny thing about persecution. It used to be a subject that I tucked away in the farthest, loneliest corners of my mind. Lately, I think about it a lot.
For myself, there is a peace I have come to, where I even desire the opportunity to honor God by standing firm in the face of a lethal trial.
But knowing others who are serving in dangerous areas, it torments me. I shudder to think what could happen to friends I grew up with, and what could happen to their sweet innocent children.
As Paul declared, "God's grace is sufficient for me," may that be our prayer until we can proclaim it as a matter of fact.
Oh, when I say "innocent" children, I don't mean it the theological context of absolute perfection, only that unjust pains are inflicted by immoral men and circumstances caused by the sins of others.
(I know you know; I just clarify it for the benefit of others.)
Thanks for sharing those encouraging thoughts Craver.
Paul desired to partake in the suffering of his Lord.
I suppose all God's true children do to some point. Different degrees of courage and timidity I guess.
Have a good weekend in His love.
"Do you love God? Do you love Jesus Christ? Would you die for Him, and His truth?" - these questions have been on my mind lately as I'm reading Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand (founder of Voice of the Martyrs). I too hope and pray that I would be able to if it ever comes to that.
I was very blessed to be able to hear Richard Wurmbrand speak a few years back. He sat down while he shared from the pulpit, because his feet are still messed up from the beatings he took.
Thanks for stopping by Yasmin. Lord bless.
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