16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so bewise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israelbefore the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. (Matthew 10)
The picture we get of these closest followers of Christ was that they readily left all and followed Him - that early on, they saw Him, heard Him, and trusted Him enough to sign on and stay on. Along the journey they saw crowds come to Him - even come from far and wide to hear and see Him - but eventually the crowds died down. They hecklers were always there, because Jesus challenged their authority, and their sin. If they did it to Him - the One with all the answers and all the authority of God, then be sure they will do to all who seriously follow after Him. Our calling is simple: remain true to the message and the lifestyle He has laid out before us. Do not retaliate; do not react; do not fear. God will take us where He wants us, give us the words to speak, and grant us the grace to endure whatever may come our way. Be Bold.
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