Dear Christian friends:

It is not easy to be a Christian. And we Christians should not expect a comfortable, easy life. Really we should expect a hard life of trouble and suffering. Peter says, "Since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, prepare yourselves likewise with the same mind." (1 Peter 4:1) And St. Paul rejoiced in his sufferings for the church of Christ. (Col. 1:24) And here in our text Jesus tells His disciples that they should expect suffering and trouble when they do their Christian duty and confess Him before men. Jesus said to them, "All men will hate you because you confess My name." (verse 22) Most people refuse to believe in Jesus and they hate and persecute those who do believe. I'm sure you have experienced that yourself. If you have not experienced that enmity from unbelievers you perhaps are not confessing Jesus as you should.

Here in our text Jesus encourages us to be brave and confess His name before all people.


First, Jesus reminds us that we are His disciples and that He is our Lord. Jesus became our Lord and Master and we His servants because He loved us and died for us upon the cross. We should now love Him and feel ourselves in debt to Him. We owe Jesus a great debt of thanks and love because He suffered so much to win salvation for us. Jesus says to us, "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call the servants?" (verses 24-25) Jesus' enemies persecuted Him and mocked Him calling Him a devil. They will do the same to His disciples to you and to me. Remember that you are Jesus' disciple, and that you owe love and thanks to Him. This will help you to confess Jesus before men.

Secondly, remember to fear God more than men. God will judge all men on the last day (verse 26) If you must fear someone fear God, not men. Jesus says, "Fear not them (men) which kill the body, but cannot kill the soul: but rather fear him (God) which can destroy both soul and body in hell." (verse 28) The worst that men can do to you is to kill your body. They can, if God permits, stop your short, trouble-filled life here on earth, but they have no power to destroy your soul and body for eternal life. If you must die for Jesus' sake, your soul will continue to live with Jesus in heaven, and on the Last Day Jesus will raise your dead body. That body will awake and arise new and glorious and beautiful and be reunited with your soul. Therefore, don't fear men. They really can't destroy you. Better fear God and do His will because God has power to really destroy you forever!

Thirdly, remember that God can protect you from men. Jesus says that God loves and protects the sparrow which is not worth much. (verse 29) We are worth much more than sparrows. (verse 31) God loves us more than He loves a bird. He can protect you from all harm that men may wish to do against you. He even knows how many hairs you have on your head, Jesus says.

For a short time God my let you suffer to test your faith and to strengthen your trust in Him. But He knows what is happening to you and He will stop that at the right time. He will not let you suffer more than you can stand and He will not let you suffer until your faith is strong enough to endure it. Remember how God tested Abraham's faith when God commanded him to offer up his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering? (Genesis 22:1-14) God did not test Abraham until his faith was strong enough. The quiet trust of peaceful days precedes and prepares us for the storms of life. So don't fear men: trust God who loves you and protects you, and knows your need. Be brave and confess Jesus before men.

Finally, remember that Jesus promises a great reward for us in heaven, if we now suffer and confess Him on earth. (Verse 32, Revelations 2:10)

That will be a wonderful and glorious event. You will stand with Jesus before God's throne and before all angels, before Abraham, Moses, David and Paul and all God's people. You will hear Jesus praise you and put a crown on your head! Jesus will not forget what you have done and suffered for His name's sake. He promises to reward you 100 times and give you a prophet's reward! (verse 41)

In two weeks the Olympic Games will begin. We will watch the races and competitions and see the winners receive the gold, silver and bronze medals on the victory stand. They will enjoy much honor and glory for a short time. In a few years everyone will forget and their glory is gone. But the rewards that you and I receive will not fade away. That glory and honor we will share with Jesus forever and ever.

So let us not be ashamed or afraid to confess Jesus before men! Now we have received much encouragement and support! God says to us what He said to Abraham, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward." (Genesis 15:1)

Amen.