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Matthew 10:21-23
Jesus has given the command to His disciples, who are now referred to as apostles, to go throughout the “house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6, NKJV) and preach, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). This discourse has extended to a teaching session as Jesus continues to give advice and instructions to His apostles. He is preparing them for the conditions that they will encounter as they travel and share the gospel message. In Matthew 10:21-22, Jesus warns His apostles that the world’s hatred against Him will be severe as He states, “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” In Matthew 10:23 Jesus states, “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” The time frame for this event is debatable but most scholars seem to believe that Jesus is referring to the time between His sending out the twelve and His resurrection from the dead, as this is reflective of the initial mission to the “house of Israel” and is before the apostle Paul has been called to mission by Christ Jesus (Acts 9).
This is a promise of the persecution that the world will have against Christians for the name of Jesus.
A key phrase in this Bible passage is, “But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22b). One might think, “Why would anyone want to go through the troubles of being a Christian?” But the answer is easy for all those who have opened their hearts to Jesus and felt deep within their heart and soul the blessings that come with putting Jesus first in your life. While we live in this world, life is short, and we never know when it will end, but life after death is eternal and that means that it goes on forever; forever in hell for those who refuse to open their hearts to God through the gift that He offers in the salvation provided by His One and only Son Jesus, but eternal life in heaven living in the continual blessings of being in the presence of God’s glory – not just seeing or witnessing God’s glory, but being “in” as in inside of God’s glory as it surrounds us on every side and overwhelms us with blessings that will be a greater felt love than anything we could imagine. So we might ask, “Is it worth it?” A little time spent on earth persevering through the trials and tribulations of this world as we stand for Jesus and proclaim the gospel message of “The kingdom of heaven is as hand” is worth every bit of our time and effort for eternity – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
You sent Your apostles out to share the gospel message of “The kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and You warned them that they would be persecuted as Jesus was first persecuted for them, and for us today. LORD, please open our eyes to the saving power of Jesus that we would open our hearts to Him and begin a new life of forgiveness that will inherit Your blessings and glory forever. In Jesus name I pray, amen.