What Jesus Did! 'Faithful' — Matthew 10:21-23

Monday, May 5, 2025

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel."
— Matthew 10:21-23 NLT

Key Thought

The call of the Kingdom of God will meet with strong resistance. Those within our own families may give us up to arrest, while opposition can also mount from many everyday people. They will hate us for no other reason than that we follow Jesus. Jesus urges the apostles as missionaries to leave the cities where they are treated badly, to keep their faith, and to move to another city. But their flight is not one of fear, but one of anticipation and evangelization. They are to keep sharing and living the message of the Kingdom in city after city for their salvation awaits and their Lord's coming is near. We would do well to heed Jesus' instructions and warnings for the apostles when we face opposition to our life style and service as Jesus' disciples.

Today's Prayer

God, you are the Rock of my salvation, you are my strength and protection. Give me courage to be faithful and never waver in my love and faithfulness to you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 10:22
Devo: Today's Verse
""All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.""
Stand Firm
Illustration of Matthew 10:22
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 10:22b -- ... he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 10:21-23 NLT — "A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, May 5, 2025

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Do More than Roll Your Eyes!'
"Dear Beloved, Some of you roll your eyes or quickly speed-read past any biblical discussion of demons because you think that this kind of thing..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'A Spoken Rebuke Is a Weapon Against Evil'
"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'God's Children, Israel' (Ro. 9:1-18)
"Dear Father, Keep me and all who are related to me from any hint of hatred toward Israel, your ancient people. Let us love them and pray for their..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Shout Joyfully to the Lord'
"Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!