In this lesson we are talking about a willingness to suffer for our commitment to Jesus and the kingdom of God. A willingness to give things up and to go through hardship because of our faith.
The focus verse comes from Mark 8:34:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Jesus is saying that anyone who follows him will be persecuted. So you have to be prepared to deny your self-interests and take up your cross - an instrument of death.
From Jesus’ point of view persecution is a certainty. He says, “You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” – Luke 21:16-17. So lets look at . . .
How persecution works
1. We follow Jesus. We do what Jesus teaches and models for us. Specifically:
- We confess Jesus as Lord. We bear witness to him as the Messiah and the Son of the living God and the one who has given us salvation.
- And we live according to Jesus’ teaching and example; by his standards and values.
2. People in the world don’t like this and so they respond in negative ways. As Jesus says in Matthew 10:24-25, it won’t be different for you. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you when you follow me.
- We are persecuted for confessing Jesus; for witnessing to others about Jesus. In Matthew 10:17-18 Jesus says to those he sent out to be his witnesses – “they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.”
- And we are persecuted for living according to Jesus’ teaching and example; for obeying Jesus’ moral code. In Matthew 5:10 Jesus talks about being “persecuted for righteousness’ sake;” for doing what Jesus says, instead of what the world or a particular government says.
Persecution comes in many forms
It doesn’t always mean death (certainly not in our context). There is, rather, a scale of negative reactions that can come our way:
- You can be slandered – Matthew 5:11. Jesus talks here about how they will “. . . revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” In Matthew 10:25 this can include being called “Beelzebub” or Satan.
- You can be excluded socially – Luke 6:22.
- You can receive various expressions of hatred – Luke 21:17.
- You can be taken to court for your faith (where it is illegal to be a Christian) – Mark 13:9.
- You can be put to death – Matthew 10:21.
So there are different levels of persecution, from something as simple as ridicule, to being put to death.
But there is good news . . .
The Spirit gives us the courage we need to stay true
In these situations Jesus tells us not to be ashamed of him and his words - Mark 8:38. He also tells us not to fear those who can only kill you, that is your body and not your soul – Matthew 10:28.
But he doesn’t leave us alone. As Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses . . ..” – Acts 1:8. The Spirit helps us, where we would not be able to do it in our own strength. Although we would give in to our fear, or shame, the Spirit gives us the courage and boldness we need.
The difference that the Spirit makes can be seen in the example of the disciples. When Jesus was persecuted and eventually killed, they were cowards. They abandoned Jesus, ran and hid in fear. But after they had received the Spirit, they were willing to give their lives (e.g. James – Acts 12:1-2).
The promise of eternal blessings
If we remain true in times of persecution God will reward us. It will be worth it. Jesus said:
“Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” – Mark 8:35.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10.
“You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” – Mark 13:13.
If we endure, we will enter the kingdom eternal.
[Follow this link to read some stories of perseuction from the time of the Protestant reformation - Martyr Stories]
[Follow this link to read stories of persecution in the world today - http://www.persecution.com]
