When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, He gave them instructions on how to express their faith. The Lord said, “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16). The calling to follow Jesus would not be a faith walk in the park.
The Lord did not mince words about the culture into which the first disciples would carry His message. They would come with the blessing of the Gospel. Those who refused the blessing were to be shaken off like dust from their feet. “Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town” (vs. 15).
Jesus also let His disciples know they would be brought before government officials to answer for their allegiance to the Lord. “You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me” (vs.19). Today, brave believers are being brought before the same kind of government officials to answer for their faith. That audience will not be to prove a point but to share the truth about Jesus.
Jesus also warned his disciples, “And all nations will hate you because you are my followers” (vs. 22). After saying those sobering words, He went on to say, “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all” (vs. 26). Fear regarding the repercussions from speaking the truth in love has always been present among the Lord’s disciples. It remains true today. Jesus addressed that fear, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (vs. 28).
As Jesus concludes Matthew 10, He said, “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword” (vs. 34). The “sword” is the truth of God’s word spoken in the marketplaces of life that will confront the false gods and demonic manifestations of what a culture has been convinced is true and free to believe without an eternal consequence. It is in that confused world that we will bring the Gospel. We will face the same opposition the first disciples experienced, but now we will speak with the resurrected power of Jesus.
Such an important reminder! The Eternal Truth and Holy Spirit’s reminding of it while strengthening us will enable us to overcome in any public or private “inquisition.” We speak it in Love and Confidence in Him.