Persecution – Matthew 10:26-33

The second century persecution of Christians in what is today Lyons, France, is recounted in early church historian Eusebius: By 177 Christians were forbidden from the marketplace, the forum, the baths, or to appear in any public places. If they did appear in public they were subject to being mocked, beaten, and robbed by the mob. The homes of Christians were vandalized. Eventually the authorities seized the Christians and questioned them in the forum in front of the populace. They were then imprisoned until the arrival of the governor. When the governor arrived he interrogated them in front of the populace again. These Christians endured torture while the authorities continued to apprehend others. Two of their pagan servants were seized and, fearing torture, falsely charged the Christians with incest and cannibalism. What followed was the torture of the captive Christians by various means, including being thrown to ravenous beasts. In the end, all were killed, some of whom had recanted but later returned to the faith.

Jesus made it clear that this would be our lot. The persecution has not ceased from the beginning until today.

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:26-33 ESV)

Jesus doesn’t give us much wiggle room to be afraid.  Despite all the persecution we may face as the king’s followers, God knows what is going on and judgment will be rendered against those who oppose us.  So shout it from the rooftops for everyone to hear.  They might kill our bodies but only God can kill both body and soul in hell, and that will be the judgment on those who persecute us.

In contrast with how our persecutors feel toward us, God loves us and is intimately aware of our value and needs.  God knows every detail and cares about every detail in nature. It matters to him when a sparrow is sold or dies. He takes immense pleasure in His creation. But above all that He takes note of us. What could be more insignificant than the number of hairs on our head? But it matters to God because we matter to Him.

So when we acknowledge Jesus before men Jesus acknowledges us before God.  But beware, if we deny Jesus before men because of the persecution, he will deny us before the Father.  He will have to acknowledge that we do not indeed belong to him and never did because otherwise we would have acted loyally.  Knowing Jesus transforms all our loyalties. Not even persecution can make us turn on our Lord and Savior.