Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Lk 12:21-29
Jesus continues to speak this week about the 2nd Coming, the end of the world when He will return and all will be judged. Up to this point, as we near the end of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has taught us how to be His follower. We must die to self emptying ourselves and making room for Christ, we must take up our daily crosses and offer them up, we must pray unceasingly, do simple works of charity to those God puts in front of you today with love, forgive and love. For doing these things, we may be persecuted by words or physical pain. Many Christians throughout the world are experiencing this. We may experience this among our own family members, our classmates, in our community, or in our country. Recognizing Christ as our King, not the president, not power, promotions, achievements, money, electronics, cell phones, food, drink, we will be persecuted and laughed at. Paul was scourged, stoned, and imprisoned many times for preaching Jesus as King instead of the Emperor of the Romans. Making Christ the King in our lives is hard, but the rewards are eternal.
Today’s challenge: Be ready to give your testimony of Christ in your life. Are you willing to give up popularity and being liked for it?
Be a servant, become a saint!
#Christian YOLO
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