There’s something striking about the way Jesus invites people to serve Him. You’d think He would try to make it sound attractive — easy, comfortable, maybe even rewarding in material ways. But He doesn’t. He doesn’t sugarcoat it. He doesn’t promise smooth sailing.
In John 16:1–4, Jesus is giving instructions about what He expects His disciples to do after He leaves. He expects that they will continue to promote the kingdom of God, but He warns them and says: “They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.” And then He says: “I have told you this so that you will not fall away.”
[Read more…] about HAVE COURAGE — Serving Jesus Means Going to War