Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The World’s Hatred
“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
The disciple’s future was certain and Jesus did not sugar-coat it. He told them just like it was. Their days were numbered.
You may say that all our days are numbered. That’s true. What was the fate of these apostles?
THE TWELVE APOSTLES:
- Andrew - crucified
- Bartholomew - beaten then crucified
- James, son of Alphaeus - stoned to death
- James, son of Zebedee - beheaded
- John - exiled for his faith; died of old age
- Judas (not Iscariot) - stoned to death
- Matthew - speared to death
- Peter - crucifed upside down
- Philip - crucified
- Simon - crucified
- Thomas - speared to death
- Matthias - stoned to death
(source: Fox's Book of Martyrs)
As they faced their deaths, I can imagine that these words of warning … these words of encouragement sprang up in their spirit. Despite their certain future they did not abandon their faith.
For most of us, we will never face death for our faith. Our challenge is to have the courage to daily face life and not abandon our faith.
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