Ye should not be offended

Bible Reading: John 16
John 16:1-2 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Jesus was preparing the twelve. He did not want to give them any false ideas about what it meant to be a follower of his and to be a witness. This world hates Jesus and it will hate his followers. His disciples would be kicked out of the synagogues and they would be killed. The people who did this would think they were actually serving God. The truth is however, that the twelve know God because they know Jesus. Those who persecuted them don't know God at all.

John 16:3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Is it possible to think you know God when you really don't? Is it possible to think you are serving God when you are actually doing evil? Yes, it is. Here is a little history about the twelve.

Andrew was crucified at Patrea in Greece.
Bartholomew preached the gospel in India. He took the gospel of Matthew there and left copies. He was crucified in Armenia.
James the son of Alphaeus was stoned to death by the Jews in Jerusalem.
James the son of Zebedee had his head cut off by Herod the tetrarch.
Peter was supposedly crucified upside down.
Philip was crucified at Hierapolis.
Thomas was thrust through with spears in Calamene, India.

Of the eleven faithful apostles, seven were put to death for preaching the gospel. The others suffered but died of an old age.

Is this what it means to follow Jesus? Yes.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Many people have made a mess of their lives and come to Jesus wanting him to 'fix it'. He says come to him because he is the Creator, King and Savior. He died to save you from your sins and to make you into a new person. He is worthy of all worship and praise. Follow him because he is the truth. He is the only way to the Father. He is Alpha and Omega. He is coming again. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

It is worth it to follow Jesus. The suffering of this world is small compared to the glory of the one to come!

In Christ,
Rody