Jesus said: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Reflection
When I read these verses, I feel the weight of Jesus’s honesty, following Him will be costly, and sometimes that cost shows up in the hardest places, even within our own families. It’s not what we want to hear. Deep down we long for peace, for our faith to bring unity and to be celebrated by those we love most. But Jesus makes it clear, there will be moments when following Him stirs up misunderstanding and even resistance. That’s a heavy weight to bear, it’s not easy to accept.
I don’t believe Jesus said this to discourage us. I believe He was preparing us. He knew we’d face rejection, that ridicule might come from those closest to us. But even in those difficult places He gives us hope. He promises to walk through it with us. He promises He will always be with us. He asks us to endure, to cling onto Him when the going is tough. To trust that He is there and we’re not alone because Emmanuel, God is with us.
Jesus doesn’t want us to pretend that it’s ok, to act as if there’s no loss or cost, He understands, He gets it, he knows the sting of rejection and opposition. It cost him his life. What Jesus wants is for us to not lose sight of what we have found and gained in Him. When we feel battle worn and weary, He wants us to remember that following Him is worth it. Always.
And the beautiful thing. He notices it all. Every quiet act of faithfulness, every tear, every whispered prayer, every time we choose to keep going when it would be easier to give up. He sees us. It all matters to Him. He treasures each moment. None of it is wasted.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for never asking me to walk this path alone. When following You feels costly, remind me that You understand, and You are near. Give me courage to endure and a faithful heart that trusts that You are always enough, that You are the One who calls us and You are always faithful. Amen.
Today’s writer
Mandy Bayton is the Director of Mission for the Diocese of Swansea
