Matthew 10:21-22
Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
The rise of Nazi Germany is proof against anyone who would contest the possibility of this warning from Jesus coming true. There, children turned in their parents, and it was every man and woman for themselves when death in the concentration camp was on the table. Therefore, we are afforded a glimpse at human nature in these verses. We can profess love for our fellow man but, when push comes to shove, man will shove their grandmother off a cliff if necessary. Sadly, some of the hearers of Jesus would experience this in their lifetime. When Rome burned and Nero fiddled, the Christians were blamed and were burned themselves. They were hated for the name of Jesus.
Now we are entering a time in history called “Post-Christian”. It stands to reason that the next phase will be “Anti-Christian”. We will need to remember that, while we will be hated for the name of Jesus, we are also saved in the name of Jesus. If we forget that, who knows what we will be capable of in our human nature. We are also comforted by the fact that we can endure to the end because God will preserve us until the end. Remember the Beatitude. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you…” Your reward is great in heaven.
Dear Lord, thank you that you have made a way to be saved and you will preserve us. Help us to have faith over fear. In Jesus’ name. Amen.