Tuesday, 28 August 2018

Persecutions, but not alone

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Question of the day: In today’s reading we find this ...

Mark 10:29-30 "'Amen, I tell you,' Yeshua replied, 'there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for My sake and for the sake of the Good News, who will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and property, along with persecutions; and in the olam ha-ba, eternal life."

What? Is that really in the text? Does it really say "along with persecutions?"

Answer: Yes it does. Just as if it belongs there and there is nothing unusual about it. How could I miss it all these years? Such a huge blessing, (I'm paraphrasing here) "Everyone who leaves family or earthly possessions for the sake of Yeshua and His Good News will receive 100 times more, even in this life, along with persecutions."

Is it possible to get part A without getting part B? Could I get the 100 times increase without the persecutions? No, the exceeding joy is connected to the fiery trial. Ellicott's Commentary us to 1 Peter 4:12:

"Loved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal taking place among you to test you - as though something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice insofar as you share in the sufferings of Messiah, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be glad."

More good news, Yeshua will walk with you through every trial. The best news we can hear as believers is from the voice of God saying, "You are not alone."

Isaiah 41:9-10 "I took hold of you from the ends of the earth, and called from its uttermost parts, and said to you, 'You are My servant - I have chosen you, not rejected you. Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'"