“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.” Mark 13:9
Jesus was telling the disciples that the temple would be destroyed. The disciples asked when this would be. He told them to watch the signs, that things would get really bad.
Now, He tells them to be on their guard. They would be handed over to the local authorities for abuse. Not only would the local authorities punish them, but they would also get abused in the synagogues–the religious places. The place that should be a place of refuge and safety would become a place of abuse.
All of these things would happen because of their belief in Jesus and to give them a chance to be a witness to the world.
How does getting put in prison or abused give you a chance to be a witness? These events give you a chance to stand strong and true for Jesus. It allows you to make the statement as to why you are willing to go through the harsh treatment.
In many parts of the world it is acceptable to treat Christians harshly. Right now, as a whole, you do not see this level of harsh treatment of believers in America, but it is getting more rough all the time.
Teachers in schools cannot talk about Jesus. In the workplaces you cannot witness. You cannot speak out against sin without it being a hate crime.
Will you bend to the desires of the world and not be a witness for Jesus?
Will you choose to be silent?
Or will you choose to be His witness no matter what it means?
Jesus chose to die on a cross in full public humiliation and extreme torture for you. What are you willing to do for Him?
Be on your guard and be ready to be His witness. Do not fear the torture, but embrace what God is giving you. He is giving you an opportunity to be His witness. Will you take it?
I pray today that God will strengthen you in your walk with Him; that God will make you more like Jesus; that God will reveal ways you can be His witness; that God will give you the words to speak; and that God will build His kingdom through you.
Leave a Reply