READING: John 15:18-17:26
Both within our country and around the world as I’ve traveled, I’ve heard the growing theology of the prosperity gospel – a teaching that those who follow Jesus will find blessing, health, and wealth if they possess enough faith to receive those gifts. What Jesus taught His disciples, though, counters this wrong teaching.
In fact, He warned them they would be cast out of the synagogues, and they would even face death at the hands of those who believed they were doing God a service by killing them (like Saul must have thought prior to his conversion). The hour of Jesus’ death was upon Him, and the hour of persecution would fall on His followers, too.
Their response? It was to be, in the words of one of my former professors, to understand these truths: “Persecution is certain, but there is not the slightest hint that the disciples should retreat into safe havens and cease witnessing about Jesus. In fact, just the opposite is expected. And to make their witnessing effective the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth or authenticity, is promised to them to support them in their witnessing.”* May we follow Jesus accordingly no matter what we face this week.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you prepared for persecution should you face it today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, remind me through Your Spirit of Your words when I need them today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: John 18:1-2, Mark 14:32-42, Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46, Mark 14:43-52, Matthew 26:47-56, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:3-24
*G. L. Borchert, (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B, p. 162). Broadman & Holman Publishers.