Don't Be Afraid of Persecution

Thursday, February 12th, 2026

4:39 am

Good morning! Today I am in Matthew 10:16-42. Jesus tells His disciples that He is sending them out like sheep among wolves. That they needed to be as shrewd as snakes and as harmless as doves. And that they were to beware for they would be handed over to the courts and flogged, standing trial before governors and kings, because they are His followers. But that would be their chance to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about Him. He tells them not to worry about what to say or how to respond when they are arrested, for the Holy Spirit will speak through them, giving them the right words at the right time. He tells them that families would be against each other, and nations would hate them, but everyone who endures to the end will be saved. He tells them that students are not greater than their teacher and slaves are not greater than their master, but students are to be like their teacher and slaves are to be like their master. Since He, the master of the household, is called the prince of demons, the members of His household will be called even worse names. But He tells them not to be afraid of those who threaten them, for a time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known. So don't be afraid of those who want to kill our bodies because they cannot touch our souls, but fear only God who can destroy both body and soul in hell. He goes on to tell them that they are more valuable than sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges Him publicly here on earth,He will acknowledge before His Father in heaven, but anyone who denies Him here on earth He will deny before His Father. He goes on to tell them that He did not come to earth to bring peace but a sword. For if they love their mother, father, or children more than Him, they are not worthy to be His. And if they refuse to take up our cross and follow Him, they are not worthy to be His. If they cling to this life, they will lose it, but if they give up their life for Him, they will find it. Anyone who receives them receives Him, and anyone who receives Him receives the Father who sent Him. And if they give to one of the least of His followers, they will be rewarded.

Man, there is a lot in these verses. So much that it is very hard to narrow down, and hard to leave anything out because each of these words are so important. So, I will encourage you to make sure you read the passage for yourself so you see everything that I did not add, because every word is so important for us, especially for the times we are living in today. But for me to sum this section up a little bit. Jesus wants us to be His followers. He calls everyone of us. But there is a sacrifice of the flesh that has to happen. This is a daily sacrifice we have to make. Laying your life down daily to Him, taking up our cross. Allowing Him to move and use us in your daily lives. He tells us right here in these verses that this is not easy, this journey is hard and painful. But its a journey we must make to be His followers. Standing up to those who persecute us for our belief in Him, and not being afraid. He reassures us how much God loves us and that He knows everything that is going on, and that He is in control. We do not have to be afraid of what this world will do to us as His followers. But it is so very important that we make a stand for Him. Where everyone knows who we belong to. Everything in this life will pass away, but God is eternal. When we die and leave this earth, we will face judgment. Being judged for what we did on this earth. And the question that each of us will face then is if we believed and received His one and only Son. That question alone can send us to heaven or hell. Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. We have to choose Him while we are alive here on earth. We cannot be afraid of what will happen to us here on earth if we choose Jesus. We cannot be afraid of the persecution that will come. Jesus was persecuted for each one of us, so we could have the chance to choose Him and be free from the chains of sin and eternal damnation. He did that for us, so we cannot be afraid to make that stand for Him. Don't be afraid. Have you made that choice yet? Jesus tells us in verse 33 that anyone who denies Him here on earth, He will deny before His Father in heaven. We have to choose Him. There is nothing more important than Jesus. And He can and will give you the encouragement you need to get through.