Discipleship comes with a price. A big price. however, the cost is far, far less than the cost of not pursuing a life with Christ. At a midweek Bible study recently, our Pastor preached on Matthew chapter 10. He stated it would be a good idea to read Matthew 10 once a week! After thinking on that for some time and re-reading most of it when I got home that night, I came to realize why he has the enthusiasm he does for it.

Persecution Will Come

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise 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 Israel before 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 10:16-25 (ESV)

We may not be persecuted to the degree discussed in the text here in the U.S. at this point, but there are many places in the world where such trials await Christians all the time. Sure, the preaching of the cross may be considered foolishness by many we encounter, but that is nothing compared to the affliction suffered by many who claim Jesus as their Lord.

There is much more to that chapter than the excerpt I have included here. Please take the time to read it and reflect on it.