Extreme marching orders

"See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

Matthew 10:16-23

A rational person might ask: "So why would anybody consent to being sent out in this fashion?"

It is empowering to read the lesson in June 9's posting in concert with this one. Notice how every bump in the road or threat that can come your way relates in some way to Christ's promise to bless you.

Discipleship doesn't mean that you are supposed to intentionally seek persecution, poverty, or sorrow. However, the cost of discipleship often is just that. If we follow Christ wherever he leads us, we can be fairly certain that we will be led out of our self proclaimed or self achieved comfort zones. We will meet the wounded or downtrodden and be called upon to serve them. We will be called upon to be instruments of truth, peace and justice...using actions always, words when necessary.

Sacrifices and challenges may or may not be extreme (just as our acts of mercy, compassion and healing often seem small and unrecognized). Still, when we encounter the pain of rejection, ridicule or of simply being discounted as unrealistic, something profound happens to "us".

In those moments, our self reliance and self esteem (yes, the part related to the ego!) may crack or thin just a bit. Through the Holy Spirit we are bathed us with the power to endure, even thrive, in magnificence and hope.

So go! You are sent! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the Kingdom of God!