1 “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.”
In our verses for today Jesus lovingly gives His disciples – both then and now – a heavenly heads up to keep us from falling into the trap of the enemy through our sufferings. It is most definitely a dangerous thing for a believer to indulge in the false expectation of a trial free life. Jesus never held back the subject of the cross nor concealed the difficulties to His followers of the way to heaven. Indeed, He confirmed it – tribulations would be a given – a part of the territory. He told them of the worst that they may consider the cost of following Him. We should likewise not be surprised at offense as we are just as apt to stumble at the cross as our Lord’s first disciples rather than to heed His many warnings. It is a dangerous temptation – even for good men – to turn back from the ways of God:
19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.” John 13:19 (NIV)
29 “I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.” John 14:29 (NIV)
Our Lord warns us of battles, conflicts, wounds, and persecutions – perhaps even death - before it happens so that when it does happen we will not be alarmed rather prepared. He gives us notice in order to remove the terror. Sadly, the devil’s work has often been done in God’s name by those whose zeal is not based on knowledge of the Father or His Son. Many pretend to know God in this world yet remain totally and wretchedly ignorant of Him. They think it perfectly acceptable to persecute good people. Jesus wants us to be warned. We find His similar Word to us a little later in this same chapter of John:
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
Paul ditto’s Jesus’ warning in 2 Timothy:
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Tim 3:12-13 (NIV)
“Persecution is one of the surest signs of the genuineness of our Christianity.” Benjamin Fernando
Our Lord tells us we must beware – He wants us forewarned in order to be forearmed with both preparation and prayer. Jesus desired for us not to be surprised or discouraged by the persecution of the unbelieving world which could cause us to be ensnared in the trap of the evil one – discouragement being one of his choicest tools. Indeed, the words “go astray” - used in verse one of our Scripture passage today - are translated from the Greek word “Skandalizo” meaning “a trap or a stumbling block; the trigger of a trap on which the bait is placed, and which, when touched by an animal, springs and causes it to close, trapping its victim; to entice or lead to ruin, allowing someone to adopt a course in which he will unknowingly come to mischief and ruin.” Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids. Peter gives us similar words to increase our understanding of this subject:
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16 (NIV)
“To added affliction He addeth His mercy, to multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.” Annie Johnson Flint
“Afflictions are but the shadow of God’s wings.” George MacDonald