A TIme to Bear Testimony

Luke 21:12-15:  "Before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.  This will be a time for you to bear testimony.  Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict."

In all four gospel books is recorded the words of Jesus addressing the reality of coming persecution for the disciples.  To be sure, Jesus had in fact commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel message and make disciples, and He gave them power and authority over evil spirits so that they might do the work of the Savior who sent them (Matthew 10:1).  Jesus too sent them out in groups so that they might work together, strengthening and complementing each other's work in the Lord (Mark 6:7).  

Still, Jesus gave His disciples a strong warning of the coming persecution that would be unfurled upon them for the gospel that they proclaimed.   In seething hatred, the aggressors would drag the disciples before kings, governors, and councils; and they would be flogged in various places (even houses of worship) on account of the Name of Jesus Christ [Matthew 10:17-18, 22].  Jesus too shared that if the wicked would slander Him as a devilish Beelzebul, how much more would they "malign those of His household" (Matt. 10:25, John 15:20-21).  The worst tragedy of those who accosted the disciples was that they believed that they were offering service to God (John 16:2), and these convictions fueled their militancy.  Jesus proclaimed that on account of the "multiplied wickedness" of evil men, their love (for the Lord and His gospel) would grow cold (Matthew 24:12).  Even the closest of family and friends would betray the true followers of Christ; they would persecute them and even have them executed for their faith (Mark 13:12-13).

Jesus wanted to share this with His disciples in advance, for He wanted them to know that the Sovereign Lord was fully aware of what was to happen, and He shared with them that in the very hour of their persecution would be the opportunity for them to bear testimony for the Lord.  Jesus too shared with the disciples that they were not to worry about how and what they were to say to their accusers at that time, for the Holy Spirit would put into their hearts, minds, and mouths the very words of which "no adversary would be able to withstand or contradict" (Luke 21:15).  What was important for the disciples was to endure and bear testimony of the Christ and His glorious gospel offered for the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life with the Lord Almighty.

This is a good word for us today.  We know that if we stand for the Lord Jesus Christ and His glorious gospel, we will suffer the indignity of persecution in this world.  As the love for the truth of God grows cold, man will become ever more impassioned to persecute those who are true followers of Christ.  Just as the persecutions occurred when Jesus walked the earth 2000 years ago, so too will the persecutions continue today and in the future.

We must not worry about how or what we will say at the moment when such conflicts arise, for the Holy Spirit will give us words of truth that will not be discredited . . . for they represent the power of God and His glorious will.  Now, this does not mean that we are not to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have (I Peter 3:15); nor does it mean that we should not actively be in the Word of God to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15).  Still, we can be assured that when such times of persecution come our way, we will have the presence, the provision, and the power of the Holy Spirit with us!

What we must realize is that God has willed for us to bear testimony of Him . . . for His glory.  No matter what the consequence is for taking a bold stand for the Lord and His gospel, we know that we have followed obediently the command of our Lord, our Master, and our King to "go out into all the world and make disciples" (Matthew 28:18-20).  So let us not falter in our commissioning.  Let us press on in the full assurance that we are right where the Sovereign Lord desires for us to be . . . doing exactly what He wills for us to do.