13 Juiy 2025

THE MISSION MANDATE OF CHRISTIANS (4)

(Biblical & Spiritual Exhortations: BSE 20)

When Christ gave the Great Commission to preach the Gospel and make disciples, He also gave a Promise: “And lo, I AM with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt.28:20). This was most comforting and assuring for the disciples, because they were living in uncertain times and the threat of persecution was very real.

This Persecution began with Jesus. The religious leaders hated Him and sought to kill Him because they did not like His preaching, as it convicted them of their sins. Finally, they succeeded in getting Him whipped with 39 lashes and crucified at the hands of the Romans. Then those who believed in Jesus and His Teaching were also persecuted by the priests. They asked the parents of the blind man healed by Jesus: “Ask him, he is of age. He will speak for himself. His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." (Jn 9:22-23). Then the leaders who believed were afraid to let them know: “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God” (Jn 12:42-43). May we never follow their bad example!

We know that from the Book of Acts, after Pentecost many were converted. The Sanhedrin arrested the Apostles and whipped and jailed them; and even killed James Zebedee. Then Saul of Tarsus led a great Persecution that killed and put many in jail. From AD 64 after the burning of Rome, Emperor Nero blamed it on the Christians and persecution intensified until AD 300 when Emperor Constantine was converted.

Jesus had told His disciples beforehand that they would be persecuted. He said, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his Master’. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (Jn 15:20). So when Jesus gave this Promise that He will be with them, it not only comforted them, but also strengthened their faith in Him. His Grace would be sufficient for them through such times and gave them courage in the face of death. They endured the persecution as Hebrews 10:32-39 tell us.

Following the Resurrection of Christ and Pentecost until AD 300, thousands upon thousands of Christians were martyred, tortured and jailed. They experienced the Presence of Christ in their most trying times. Christ was very real to them in life and in death. Now if these and many in other nations today can still witness for Christ faithfully in obedience to His Great Commission, what excuse have we for not doing so? What answer can we give before Christ at the Judgment (2 Cor.5:10). May the Love of Christ and the Fear of God help us to be faithful and obedient to Him. AMEN.

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