JESUS SENDS OUT THE TWELVE, Ron Ward
HE WHO STANDS FIRM TO THE END WILL BE SAVED
Passage: Matthew 10:17~23  
Key verse: 22b
17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils(A) and be flogged in the synagogues.(B) 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings(C) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.(D) At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father(E) speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents(F) and have them put to death.(G) 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,(H) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(I) 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.(J)
Cross references
- Matthew 10:17 : S Mt 5:22
- Matthew 10:17 : Mt 23:34; Mk 13:9; Ac 5:40; 22:19; 26:11
- Matthew 10:18 : Ac 25:24-26
- Matthew 10:19 : Ex 4:12
- Matthew 10:20 : Lk 12:11, 12; Ac 4:8
- Matthew 10:21 : ver 35, 36; Mic 7:6
- Matthew 10:21 : Mk 13:12
- Matthew 10:22 : S Jn 15:21
- Matthew 10:22 : Mt 24:13; Mk 13:13; Lk 21:19; Rev 2:10
- Matthew 10:23 : S Lk 17:30
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Don't worry about what to say (17-20)
Jesus looked ahead to the time after his death and resurrection. His disciples would be persecuted, first by the Jews and later by the Romans. When they were brought before councils and courts and kings, they were not to fear; they were to be witnesses to the gospel of Jesus. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would help them and tell them what to say.
2. He who stands firm to the end (21-23)
There would be another kind of persecution which would be harder to bear. Close family members, those they love, would hate them and persecute them because of their faith in Jesus. But Jesus tells them and us to stand firm on God's side to the end. He promises to come again before the evangelization of Israel is finished.
Prayer: Lord, I have no strength and I cannot trust myself. Please give me your Holy Spirit and teach me how to turn every difficult situation into an opportunity to witness to Jesus. Help me to stand firm to the end.
One Word: With God's help, stand firm