“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13.8-9
We live in a world hostile to the truth. What is truth? According to the culture, it’s whatever you want it to be! According to God’s Word, it is found in the person of Jesus, who said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life.”
In this passage, we are warned by Jesus that in this world we will face troubles and persecution. It was originally written for the early church and those Christians within hearing. However, like all of God’s Word, it transcends time and space. What was written for them is applicable to us.
The warning is about the persecution of the church. Much of the world faces grave persecution for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. Despite this, Jesus says, “the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” It is not a matter of if you are arrested; Jesus says, “whenever you are arrested and brought to trial…” The church will be persecuted by the world.
One recent example comes from New Mexico (not surprising given it is a liberal state), where the city manager’s office stated that chaplains must not pray “in Jesus’ name.” They can use the name of God, states this article, but not the name of Jesus. (So I sent the city manager a nice note telling him I would be praying for him “in Jesus’ name!”)
Although this is not the kind of persecution that currently gets people killed, some Christians are dying for speaking the very name of Jesus. Why is the name of Jesus so offensive? Because it is the name of the One True God, and Satan and his demons hate it. Spiritual warfare is raging, and humans are being used as instruments. I bet that city manager mentioned in the story might even allow chaplains to pray in the name of Satan!
My point is that we have been warned by Jesus. But when the time comes for us to speak in our defense, do not worry, he says, because we have a Helper. The Holy Spirit will be speaking in our stead.
Today is the day of salvation. Christ Jesus is alive, and it is in his name that all people can be saved and will be judged. So let us boldly speak the name of Jesus in the midst of persecution, knowing this world is but a temporary layover until we reach paradise and rejoice for eternity in the arms of our Savior.
“O Lord God, as I embark upon a journey today to Italy, I am reminded how this country was one of the first recipients of your grace! Two thousand years ago, when the gospel was birthed, Paul took the word of God to Rome and beyond. I pray this journey might be one in which we face persecution head-on through the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that we might be your witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and beyond. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” In Jesus’ name, Amen!