A Dangerous Mission

^{Matthew 10: 16-23} 

^{A Stark Warning}

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ²² You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

The old song, "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden", comes to mind as Jesus describes what's in store for his followers.  History has verified these predictions over and over, even the promise that the Spirit of our Father speaks through us and helps us bear it all,  We may not find ourselves flogged or imprisoned, but the promised sufferings come in various ways, even simple ways, but the call to remain faithful and trusting holds true and will see us through whatever adverse conditions we may be called to face. As we begin this day, let us ask God for the strength and stamina to remain faithful and willing to follow in the the footsteps of Jesus who endured these things himself.

Bro. Rene