S121P8 – The Savior’s many faces: the demanding Lord
Lk. 21:12-13
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
He was a master of his craft and considered a living art form himself. The up-and-comers in his field all wanted to work with him, and it was a wonder that he was not more selective in accepting students. The students who applied when slots were open were almost guaranteed to study with him. However, only a small percentage of those in the class would continue and finish the program. Although the master was open to all who wanted to learn from him, his standard of discipline was high from the start. Most of the students simply did not expect such a high personal cost to studying with this master, and not all of them understood that it would be worth the prize in the end.
The Lord is benevolent and gracious, but He is also demanding. He tells his disciples what they can expect as they continue his ministry in their lives, and much of it does not sound good. He also tells them that what they will endure is directly a result of their following him. Those things will happen because of “his name’s sake.” He has a low barrier of entry. All who are drawn by God are welcome to accept the Son and enter into the fold. Beyond that, the bar is raised. There is an expectation that we will carry ourselves as He carried himself, and that includes bearing the scars of persecution that He bore for us. We are, in fact, soldiers in the army of God. We should expect to be engaged in warfare.
Jesus gives us the power and authority to continue to defeat the dark forces that He defeated on that cross. Of course, defeat only comes after a fight. Just as the forces of darkness conspired against him, they will conspire against us. Our great enemy and his foolish followers will turn up the heat, and we must be able to bear it. We can draw encouragement from two things. First, this is all being done for Jesus. Second, this is what He already has done for us, to endure to the point of death because we were worth it. We must count him worth it also. Father, make us faithful servants who willingly and gladly endure great sufferings for the sake of Christ.