‘Because of me …’
by Pauline Simonsen
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You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22).
Have you noticed a theme developing in this week’s readings? God sends his people out as his messengers to face difficulties and challenges in a hostile world that will oppose and persecute them. Moses, Jeremiah, James and John – whether they each knew it or not, there was hardship ahead. And today, we hear Jesus sending out the twelve disciples ‘like sheep among wolves’ to be hated, persecuted, betrayed, arrested, set on trial, flogged, and even martyred. After all, the pupil follows the teacher, and this is exactly what happened to Jesus.
The whole of Matthew 10 is challenging reading. Jesus addresses the twelve, but it’s pretty clear that the opposition and difficulties he describes aren’t just for those sent as apostles and missionaries. It’s for anyone who is a follower of Christ, a disciple of the teacher. Every one of us who are joined to Christ, and carry the Spirit of God within us, is already a foreigner in a strange land. We are a holy people, set apart, and so unwelcome in a world turned against God. It’s no different if we are public proclaimers or everyday Christians living out our faith in our everyday lives. ‘Jesus is Lord’ remains an incendiary declaration – whether in Roman times or today’s world.
What is your own experience with this? How are you received in a public setting when you say you are a Christian? What’s the reaction when you say you go to church? It’s easy to feel embattled and fearful or else aggressive and militant. But Jesus doesn’t offer either of those reactions. Instead, he calls us to keep engaging, to stay there in the hostile world that he so loves, being his people. Not to worry about finding the right thing to say because ‘the Spirit of your Father’ will give you the words. Keep engaging, keep loving, keep giving ourselves – just as our Master did. Stand in his strength and love with his love.
‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power … so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then.’
Lord Jesus, my faithfulness to you is so easily intimidated by the hostility of today’s world. Help me, Master. Renew in me your Spirit of power, love and self-control. Stand me firm in you. Amen.
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