All week long we have been discussing Jesus’ distressing final words to his disciples that they might face pushback, oppression, and persecution. As we continue into the beginning of chapter 16, Jesus explains why he has been telling his disciples that it is possible that some people in the world might hate them. Look at the very sobering verses 1-4.
“All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of thev synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you.”
Bleak, isn’t it? But the disciples are just a few months away from this happening. Jesus wants to prepare them for the possibility of persecution. Notice, though, Jesus’ clear teaching: though persecution might be coming, his followers should not run in fear. The disciples will be mistreated by religious people who they know God and are doing what God wants them to do. But Jesus says the opposite is true. People who persecute others show they do not know God.
But Jesus’ followers do not persecute others. Instead we welcome disagreement, conversation, difference of opinion, and we maintain fellowship. We work hard to remain unified without requiring uniformity. When people, though they are claiming to be followers of Jesus, require uniformity, refuse conversation with different points of view, they show they are followers of Jesus in name only.
If I were one of the disciples, I could be thinking at this point, “What??? This is not what I signed up for Jesus. What is this bait and switch. You said, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ You talked about the Kingdom come. You never said anything about ‘Follow me and you might be persecuted.’ This a raw deal. What’s going on?” If any of the disciples were thinking this, Jesus says, “You’re right, I didn’t tell you about this from the beginning. But here’s why. I have been with you.”
Things have changed. He is about to leave them. Not alone. The Holy Spirit will be with them. But it will be different. They might face persecution. But they will have God the Spirit with them and in them, and that is amazing.
How is that amazing? It is amazing because we need not fear. We can follow the way of Jesus, lovingly pursuing the mission of his Kingdom, even if it means we will receive pushback, because the Spirit is with us. Do you feel fear about living for Jesus or speaking for Jesus? Know that the Spirit is with you.
What can you do to step further into the way of Jesus? What can you do to step further away from complacent, nominal Christianity? Living the way he did? Caring for the things he cared for?
I urge you to take action. First pray about it. Ask the Holy Spirit where he is moving and working in and around you, so that you can participate with him. It might be a new way, a way that you find uncomfortable or awkward or scary. But where the Spirit is, you are in good hands! So listen for the Spirit to lead you, invite you and guide you.
Second, review the Gospel of John. Read through it again. Observe the way of Jesus.
Third, talk it over with others who love you and are loving, gracious followers of Jesus. Ask them to discern with you. Start having sessions with a spiritual director.
Fourth, make an action plan. Dates, times, steps. Plan it out. Get realistic. Start with one task. We don’t make change by saying we want to. Do one thing. What is one action you have seen Jesus do that you feel him asking you to make more a part of your life? None of us are fully like Jesus. We all have something we can strengthen, out of our love for Jesus. He’s given us gifts, talent, ability, experience, even if we are young. How has he made you? How can you serve him with the gifts he has given you?
Fourth, talk it over with an accountability partner. Show them the plan, and say, “I believe the Holy Spirit wants me to so ___________, and though I’m nervous, I want to follow through. Will you hold me accountable to my plan?”
Fifth, take a step…and keep praying along the way. Remember that he says he is with us, he is for us. His ways are for the best. His ways are good. Even if they result in pushback.
Photo by Jake Hills on Unsplash
Engaging Scripture 