Sound Familiar

Wednesday's gospel reading was from the book of Luke.  Luke 21:12-19 starts out by saying:

Jesus said to the crowd: "They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have led you before kings and governors because of my name."
 

Sound familiar?  Where do I start?

They will seize and persecute you...  Today, many Christians are afraid to proclaim their beliefs for fear of persecution. What I find frustrating is those who persecute us do so for the wrong reasons.

They will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons...  If I do not support a health care plan, because of religious beliefs, I will get a I government imposed tax.  While it is not prison, it is the next closest thing.

Today, more than ever, in my 41 years of life, I feel persecuted for my Christian beliefs.  I am sure that the persecution has always been there, but I notice it more now than ever.  I see the ten commandments being removed from government buildings, Rhode Island's governor has now claimed that it has a Holiday Tree and not a Christmas Tree.  When my wife went to an establishment to have our family Christmas card made, they did not have any that said Merry Christmas.(Needless to say, our Christmas cards did not come from that particular establishment)  Discrimination is the thought that comes to my mind...

I think many people think Christianity should be flowers and candy.  Christianity is supposed to be all loving and wonderful.  Many people read the stories of Jesus feeding 5,000 and they get that warm, fuzzy feeling.  They like the good samaritian story, again it gives the warm fuzzies.  They are wonderful stories of the goodness of God, and there are many more. 

One thing many do not understand is that being a Christian is hard, especially in today's world.  Now, don't get me wrong, we do not get nailed to a cross, or stoned, as they did in the past, but the persecution today is not real easy for many to understand.

However, there is good news!!  There is a great ending...

"You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.  By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
 

 I think today, more than ever, we need to be given the warning signs/consequences of being a Christian.  Knowing that we are going to be persecuted, might just help us prepare for those conversations in which we get confronted about our beliefs.  Remember, God want's your obedience not your sacrifice.  Knowing the consequences of being persecuted comes with the safety and protection of God, just excites me even more.