Persecuted and Saved
READ: Matthew 10:16-23
Do you often find yourself in situations where you are being made fun of? When Jesus sent His disciples out, He warned them that they would be persecuted because they were telling people about Him. He then encouraged them to stay strong and be on their guard as He tells us to do.
Jon, Paul, and Joey were good friends. One day, Joey hadn’t studied for a test and asked Jon and Paul if they would “help” him with some of the answers. His friends decided against it, but, Joey kept asking and finally persuaded Paul, assuring him they wouldn’t get caught. Then they both taunted Jon, but he stood on honesty and absolutely refused to help. Joey and Paul were caught cheating and were rightly punished. Since Jon had not cheated, he didn’t get into trouble.
In the same way, Jesus’ disciples were to stand firm. In Matthew 10:22, the Lord says, “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm in the end will be saved.” These words are very comforting, especially when we endure severe persecutions.
Like Jon, we need to stand up for what is right, no matter how bad we are made fun of. If we do so, we will greatly benefit in the end.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How can we be more like Jon? How can we avoid and stand against the Joey’s and Paul’s of this world? What can we do to help others that may be weak in standing up for what is right?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Thank God for giving us such a wonderful promise. Ask Him to strengthen us to stand firm. Pray for someone you know that might be weak when it comes to persecution.