Counting the Cost

John 15:19  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

The above warning is one of the many Jesus uttered during the course of his teachings to His disciples. Jesus helped his disciples prepare for the rejection many of them would suffer for being Christians. Being God’s person will usually create unfavourable reactions from others who are resisting Him.

Following Jesus is no guarantee of a peaceful, comfortable life or wealth or high social or civic honours. Actually, the opposite is true.  Discipleship is costly. Jesus foresaw this early in His ministry and had warned them during the Sermon on the Mount. ‘’Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you’’ (Matthew 5:11, 12).

The world will hate you, because it hated Jesus first. History bears witness to this when the first century Christians were thrown to lions, burnt alive to light parties. They were a despised and persecuted sect swimming against the tide of popular prejudice; mere mention of Christ’s name was reason enough to arouse aggression among public.

Christians remain a peculiar people (in whatever sense 1 Peter 2:9 KJV used the adjective), prepared at any moment to meet the storm of hatred. Even the name ‘Christian’ given to Christ’s followers at Antioch was given in derision. Anyone who walks in the footsteps of the Master is bound to encounter hardship in life.

“All who live Godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” warns 2 Timothy 3:12. We call this an age of tolerance and enlightenment. But statistics belie this claim to tell us the number of people who died for the Name of Jesus in the twentieth century alone is more than the numbers killed in the preceding 19 centuries put together. Today an average of 120,000 Christians are killed each year in persecution the world over. It is strange that many preachers daily promise temporal blessings of prosperity - wealth, health, security etc to new Christians!

Who opposes us?

(1)   Rulers of the land –

‘’You will stand trials before governors and kings because of me’’ (Mathew 10:18) warned Jesus and added “ but this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me’’. The apostles never missed an opportunity during their trials. This on many occasions made things more difficult for them, but they were not discouraged. Read the dramatic courtroom scene in Acts 26, particularly verses 26 to 29. Be confident. Jesus overcame the world and so will you. ‘’I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Great pressure might be brought up on you. “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. ‘’ (Matthew 10:22)

The rise of right-wing political parties, dozens religious organizations  that enjoy the tacit support of the government of India,  recent waves of anti-conversion laws passed by many Indian states and a gradual and continuous institutionalization of Hindutva have all contributed to ongoing  violence against Christians in India.

(2) Religious people –

Persecution of God-fearing people in the name of God is as old as human race itself. Jesus endorsed this during an accusation of the religious leaders of His time’ You will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time--from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar. (Mathew 23:35).  He warned His followers that they would be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.(Matthew 10:17). Papal persecution of Christians was rampant during the middle ages.  

(3) Family, friends, relatives, ‘’loved ones’’ --

Matthew 10:34-36  is a frequently misunderstood or misinterpreted statement.  Jesus did not come to gloss over deep differences just for the sake of superficial harmony. Conflict and disagreement will occur between who choose to follow Christ and those who don’t. Yet we can look forward to the day when all conflicts will disappear. The Magi’s visit of Herod inadvertently resulted in a blood bath – the massacre of the innocents. Since that day, up to today, men have been divided about Jesus. the name of Jesus has never failed to cause animosity among men who are against peace, whose ways are violent.

This does contradict the truth that Jesus is the Prince of peace. There are a number of verses that show Jesus as a peacemaker. E.g. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 5:9; John 14:17.

New Testament persecution was frequently foretold by Christ, as certain to come to His true disciples and followers. He forewarned them again and again that it was inevitable. This would be a test of true discipleship. In the parable of the Sower, He mentions this as one of the causes of defection among those who are Christians in outward appearance only. When affliction or persecutions arise, seeds that fell on stony ground perished

Trials could be a sure means of gaining a blessing,  He thus speaks of it in two of the Beatitudes, “Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”; “Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you ... for my sake” (Matthew 5:10, Matthew 5:11; see also Matthew 5:12).

Methods used by the persecutor were foretold and all came to pass. Fear of apprehension and death that forced the eleven disciples to forsake Jesus in Gethsemane and to flee for their lives. Jesus often forewarned them of the severity of the persecution which they would need to encounter if they were loyal to Him: “The hour cometh, that whosoever kills you shall think he serves God”.

I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. (Matthew 23:34).

Persecution of Christ. In the case of Christ Himself, persecution took the form of attempts to entrap Him in His speech (Mathew 22:15); the questioning of His authority (Mark 11:28); illegal arrest; the heaping of every insult upon Him as a prisoner; false accusation; and a violent and most cruel, demeaning death.

His loyal followers were not spared. Stephen was stoned to death. Herod had James murdered ; Peter was imprisoned, to be killed, but miraculously rescued; at Philippi, Paul and Silas were most cruelly persecuted;  Paul and Barnabas had suffered much at Iconium and at Lystra. The list is long, very long.

St. Peter warns His co-loyalists (1Peter 4:12) ‘’Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you…If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name’’.

Don’t believe people who promise you health, wealth, fame. We don’t belong to this world. This is not our home. Your reward will be in heaven. Remember we are only aliens and travellers on earth. Getting too cosy here can lead to a dangerous attachment to the world. If God grants us all the comforts we ask Him, then we would follow Him only for the comforts and not in love.

In the parable in Matthew 13:44 the man discovers hidden treasure in a field sells everything he has and buys it. The transaction cost man everything he had, but he paid nothing for the precious treasure itself. It came free with the field. Nothing is costlier than the Kingdom of Heaven, but God gives it freely.

When Jesus spoke about carrying the cross and following Him, His followers knew what He meant. Crucifixion was a common method of execution, and condemned criminals had to carry their crosses through the streets to the execution site. Following Jesus meant a true commitment, the risk of death and no turning back.

The possibilities of losing their lives was very real for the disciples as well as for Jesus. Real discipleship implied real commitment – pledging our whole existence to His service. If we try to save our physical life from death, pain and discomfort, we may be losing eternal life. If we protect ourselves from the pain God calls us to suffer, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally. Our lives turn inward, and we lose our intended purpose. When we give our lives in service to Christ, however, we discover the real purpose of living. 

When we don’t know Christ, we make choices as if there were no afterlife. In reality, this life is just an introduction to eternity. How we live this brief span, determines our eternal state. What we accomplish on earth has no value in gaining eternal life. Even the highest social or civic honours cannot earn entrance into heaven. Evaluate your lifestyle from an eternal perspective, and you will find your values and decisions changing.

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