Persecution

Persecuted for Jesus

John 12:9-11 “Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,  for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.”

One of the first people persecuted because of Jesus was Lazarus. I mean there he was, a celebrity because of what Jesus did for him, and all the Jewish authorities wanted to do was to kill him again. Oh, I dare say there were those who ‘paraded’ him; who brought him out to testify what Jesus had done – but kill him for that?

How many today are persecuted for an even less tenuous link – maybe just for not being a Hindu or not being a Muslim? We read about people, families, villages, even whole areas being devastated for being Christian – or more exactly for being different to the majority. Yet Jesus said that we are blessed in this situation! Matt 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Our Christian brothers and sisters in the East have long known what it is to be persecuted for their faith and many of the stories are quite hair-raising. Perhaps it is our turn in the West soon? I wonder how many will simply roll over and deny their faith, and how many will be willing to suffer death for their faith. Is that, perhaps, what Jesus referred to with His ‘sorting the wheat from the chaff’ comment? What if there is another holocaust – this time against Christians? How will we stand up then I wonder?

How will Chrislam or the prosperity movement stand under persecution? How would some, nay many pastors stand up when demons start to manifest in their midst? How will they deal with them then?

There are many types of persecution coming to the Church in the coming days – How will yours stand up under the onslaught? Will Jesus reign, or will His “followers” scatter like the flock before the wolf or lion?

Just asking? If you ignore this warning, you will have to answer these questions one day – so why not test yourselves now rather than waiting and being unprepared later?