Our paragraph topic is: (Opposition foretold) Part 11.
We end our paragraph study of the (Opposition foretold) with Christ telling his disciples what to do when they are persecuted. He says to them, "When they persecute you in one town, flee to another." Christ instructs his disciples to not continue with persecution. Instead he tells them that when they are persecuted to leave. He has given warning to the towns by saying to his disciples, if a town or village or person does not receive you, then kick the dust from your feet and leave. The dust left behind will be the marker for the destruction of that village or town. He tells them that it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for that village where they left the dust from their feet.
Christ wants his disciples to survive. He wants them to teach. He does not want them to be martyrs. The time will come for that but now they must leave those areas that persecute them and go to another. They must continue to spread the message of the kingdom of heaven, for there are many towns and villages and the laborers are few. Christ will follow his disciples. They are the advance guard, preparing the way for Him. They carry the good news to the lost people of the house of Israel. So the message must go forth. The people must hear the coming of Christ, and repentance must come.
Christ also tells his disciples, "Amen I say to you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." Christ will follow his disciples throughout the villages and towns to see their progress. He will walk in their path. He will see the work that they do. He will monitor their progress. The Teacher will see the work of his students and know that they have learned well. By coming after his disciples Christ will also note further teachings and instructions that he needs to give his disciples. He will tweek their training so that they are fully ready to become his apostles when his mission is completed here on earth and he returns back to heaven to his father.
The task is great. The harvest is ready. But the laborers are few. The message is the same and the Helper is ready to assist. Do you hear the calling of God? Workers are needed. Listen to the word. Clear your senses so that you can hear. Take your mind out of the world and open your heart to the word of God. We labor for the things that the world can provide as though the providence of God cannot do the same or even more. We lust after the pleasures of the world when God can satisfy our every need and fill the desires of our heart. Are you ready to flee the towns and cities of the world when you are persecuted? Are you ready to do the work of God instead of the work of the world? Come!! Prepare yourself for the training needed. Christ is coming after you to see the work that you do. Do it well and carry the message of the kingdom of heaven to all the peoples of the world.
We end our paragraph study of the (Opposition foretold) with Christ telling his disciples what to do when they are persecuted. He says to them, "When they persecute you in one town, flee to another." Christ instructs his disciples to not continue with persecution. Instead he tells them that when they are persecuted to leave. He has given warning to the towns by saying to his disciples, if a town or village or person does not receive you, then kick the dust from your feet and leave. The dust left behind will be the marker for the destruction of that village or town. He tells them that it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for that village where they left the dust from their feet.
Christ wants his disciples to survive. He wants them to teach. He does not want them to be martyrs. The time will come for that but now they must leave those areas that persecute them and go to another. They must continue to spread the message of the kingdom of heaven, for there are many towns and villages and the laborers are few. Christ will follow his disciples. They are the advance guard, preparing the way for Him. They carry the good news to the lost people of the house of Israel. So the message must go forth. The people must hear the coming of Christ, and repentance must come.
Christ also tells his disciples, "Amen I say to you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." Christ will follow his disciples throughout the villages and towns to see their progress. He will walk in their path. He will see the work that they do. He will monitor their progress. The Teacher will see the work of his students and know that they have learned well. By coming after his disciples Christ will also note further teachings and instructions that he needs to give his disciples. He will tweek their training so that they are fully ready to become his apostles when his mission is completed here on earth and he returns back to heaven to his father.
The task is great. The harvest is ready. But the laborers are few. The message is the same and the Helper is ready to assist. Do you hear the calling of God? Workers are needed. Listen to the word. Clear your senses so that you can hear. Take your mind out of the world and open your heart to the word of God. We labor for the things that the world can provide as though the providence of God cannot do the same or even more. We lust after the pleasures of the world when God can satisfy our every need and fill the desires of our heart. Are you ready to flee the towns and cities of the world when you are persecuted? Are you ready to do the work of God instead of the work of the world? Come!! Prepare yourself for the training needed. Christ is coming after you to see the work that you do. Do it well and carry the message of the kingdom of heaven to all the peoples of the world.
