(Luk) 21:12-13, 16-17, 19, 34 CJB “But before all this, they will arrest you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons; and you will be brought before kings and governors. This will all be on account of me, but it will prove an opportunity for you to bear witness. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends; some of you they will have put to death; and everyone will hate you because of me. By standing firm you will save your lives. “But keep watch on yourselves, or your hearts will become dulled by carousing, drunkenness and the worries of everyday living, and that Day will be sprung upon you suddenly like a trap!”

Every Persecution Is an Opportunity to Bear Witness.

That was Jesus’ message to His followers as He prepared them for life after His ascension. He warned them that they would be arrested, hated, betrayed, and even killed because of their allegiance to Him. Yet instead of viewing persecution as a setback, Jesus said it would become an opportunity.

“This will all be on account of me, but it will prove an opportunity for you to bear witness.”

The mission of every Christian has never changed.

We are fishers of men.

We are witnesses of Christ.

We are disciples who make disciples.

We have been sent into the world to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand and that reconciliation with God is available through Jesus Christ.

Every Persecution Is an Opportunity to Bear Witness for Christ

The early disciples understood this.

They did not pray for comfort.

They prayed for boldness.

They did not ask God to remove opposition.

They asked Him for courage to proclaim His Word despite opposition.

Why?

Because they understood that every trial, every rejection, and every hardship became an opportunity to make Jesus known.

The same is true today.

When people mock your faith, you have an opportunity to bear witness.

When coworkers question your convictions, you have an opportunity to bear witness.

When family members reject your devotion to Christ, you have an opportunity to bear witness.

The world sees persecution as defeat.

Jesus sees it as opportunity.

The Danger of a Dull Heart

Jesus also warned His followers about another danger.

A dull heart.

“Keep watch on yourselves, or your hearts will become dulled by carousing, drunkenness and the worries of everyday living.”

For most Christians in America, persecution is not our greatest threat.

Comfort is.

We are often more concerned with being accepted than being faithful.

More interested in convenience than sacrifice.

More committed to success than holiness.

More passionate about building our kingdoms than advancing Christ’s kingdom.

The result is spiritual lethargy.

The Great Commission becomes an afterthought.

Evangelism becomes optional.

Disciple-making becomes someone else’s responsibility.

Yet Jesus never gave us permission to disengage from His mission.

A Call to Repentance and Recommitment

If our lives reveal little concern for making disciples, the answer is not guilt.

The answer is repentance.

We must return to God’s purpose for our lives.

We must intentionally identify ourselves with Jesus publicly.

We must speak the gospel clearly.

We must serve others sacrificially.

We must connect with other believers who are serious about obeying Christ and helping others do the same.

The Kingdom of God advances when God’s people faithfully proclaim God’s message.

And often the greatest opportunities come when faithfulness costs us something.

Run Today’s Play

• Ask yourself honestly: “When was the last time I intentionally shared Christ with someone?”
• Identify one place where you have been seeking acceptance instead of faithfulness and surrender it to God.
• Reach out to one believer committed to making disciples and encourage one another toward greater obedience to Christ’s mission.

Men, Jesus did not save us to live comfortable lives. He saved us to make Him known. Don’t allow comfort, convenience, or the worries of this world to dull your heart. Every persecution is an opportunity to bear witness. Stand firm, speak boldly, and live fully committed to the mission of Christ.