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But even as Jesus is telling his disciples about the dangers that await them, he switches gears. He tells them not to worry. He says he will put words in their mouths that their captors cannot refute. He says, “Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” But here again, we need to look at the bigger picture. He is not saying that their lives here on earth will be saved. He just got done saying, “they will put some of you to death.” And that was true. How can both things be true? How can they die, and yet not be destroyed? How can they die, and yet secure their lives? The price they paid for their faith was a heavy one – here on earth. Here they were arrested, and the words Jesus gave them that could not be refuted did not save them from torture or being put to death. The words they had were of their true faith, and by preaching the true word of the Lord they were securing their place in heaven, regardless of what happened to them on earth. In our place and time it’s not that physically dangerous to be Christian, but this is still a lesson worth listening to. Are we ready to make a sacrifice? We need to use the words the Lord puts in our mouths to secure our place in heaven, whatever happens on earth. |