Matthew 10

Read: Matthew 10

Matthew 10:21-22 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Think

Living in the Western world, I don't face much physical persecution for my faith. I can go to church, carry my Bible, sing worship songs aloud, and share my faith in Jesus without fear of harm. However, many Christians around the world do not have this same privilege. We often take for granted the freedoms we enjoy because we have always had them.

Because we don’t face physical persecution, we don't always consider the cost of following Jesus. Believers in highly persecuted areas know what it means to suffer and even die for Christ. Many Muslims who place their faith in Jesus face severe persecution, including being disowned, treated as outcasts, beaten, forced out of their homes, or even killed. Seeing these realities, we begin to understand the true cost of following Jesus.

Choosing to follow Jesus can mean losing family, friends, or even our occupation. While different countries and people face different forms of persecution, one thing is certain: there is always a cost to following Jesus.

In 1948, a young Wheaton College student named Jim Elliot wrote in his journal, "I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus." A year later, he felt called to be a missionary to Ecuador. Despite the dangers, Jim was determined to reach the Auca tribe. On January 8, 1956, Jim and his four mission partners were killed by the very people they sought to befriend. Jim’s earlier words resonate deeply: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Their sacrifice underscores the profound truth in Matthew 10:39, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Following Jesus means surrendering everything to gain everything in him.

Apply

Thank God for the freedom you have to practice your faith without fear. Pray for the believers and missionaries around the world being persecuted for the gospel. Ask God to strengthen and protect them.

Pray

Lord, I am so grateful for the freedom I have to worship you and practice my faith openly. Help me understand the true cost of following you. Reveal to me the areas in my life where I need to make sacrifices and let go of sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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