Read
Warning about Trouble
(Mark 13.9-13; Luke 21.12-17)
16 I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Watch out for people who will take you to court and have you beaten in their synagogues. 18Because of me, you will be dragged before rulers and kings to tell them and the Gentiles about your faith. 19But when someone arrests you, don't worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the words to say. 20But you will not really be the one speaking. The Spirit from your Father will tell you what to say.
21 Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. 22 Everyone will hate you because of me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved. 23When people mistreat you in one town, hurry to another one. I promise you before you have gone to all the towns of Israel, the Son of Man will come.
24 Students are not better than their teacher, and slaves are not better than their master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teacher and for slaves to be like their master. If people call the head of the family Satan, what will they say about the rest of the family?
The One To Fear
(Luke 12.2-7)
26 Don't be afraid of anyone! Everything is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. 27Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you. 28 Don't be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell. 29Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. 30Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31So don't be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.
Reflect
When Jesus sent his disciples out on their ministry assignment, he knew that they would be challenged. Knowing that disagreeable surprises can unsettle us, Jesus gave them an idea of what they would face and how to deal with it. When they went out to preach in the villages, they’d have to contend with unpleasant situations that Jesus usually handled directly. Thankfully, for them, and for Christians today, Jesus gave some guidance as to how to respond to trouble. Let’s look at the specifics:
Jesus’ followers should be “wise as snakes and as innocent as doves”—discerning and prudent on one hand and above reproach on the other. They should not give their enemies legitimate reasons to hate them.
They should not be overly concerned with how they would answer their accusers when called before judges and tribunals. The Holy Spirit would give them the responses they needed in the moment.
In the face of rejection and mistreatment in one place, they should move to another one. (This proved to be an effective way of spreading the faith as early believers avoided the hot spots of persecution.)
Above all, they should not fear people who, though they can kill the body, cannot harm the soul. It only seems to us that death is the worst case scenario. God knows when every sparrow dies and he cares much more about his children than the birds.
Faith in God makes us fearless in the face of loss – even death, itself. The prospect of leaving behind familiar places and faces may leave us feeling wistful, but the anticipation of being in the presence of God erases fear—fear of people, pain, persecution, anything this world throws at us. As Paul indicated, nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39). And John added, perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).
Respond
Heavenly Father, in this moment I acknowledge your love and care for me. I confess that my fears are mostly petty – related to my physical or social comfort. Thank you for the confidence I have in the demonstration of your love which forever casts out fear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ron Hughes
For 25 years, Ron Hughes served as president of FBH International, a media ministry with projects around the world. Before that he and his family were missionaries in Ecuador for 10 years, where he pioneered several media projects. He maintains a busy itinerant speaking schedule and writing ministry with an output of hundreds of radio scripts which have been translated and broadcast in a dozen languages as well as short stories, articles and three non-fiction books.