Persecution from the Family
Thirdly, there is one more avenue of attack that Satan will exploit. In verse 21, it says, “The brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.” Persecution also comes through the family. Families will become persecutors, and that may hurt the deepest, but that will be the way it is.
That’s why, in verse 36, He says, “A man’s foes will be they of his own household.” I don’t know how many of us have experienced a measure of this kind of pain firsthand. I know what it is to some extent. Most of you would have a persecution story, if not from religion or government, but definitely from family. Some of you may still experience this.
My own father said we didn’t have a son, that he was dead; he stopped my studies and put me in a workshop to work morning to night, seven days a week. Some of you know what it’s like to have family members turn against you and reject you because you have believed on Jesus Christ and trusted Him as your Savior. It’s an unspeakably painful thing to experience animosity from your family because of your faith in Jesus.
Our Lord Himself knew what that felt like. Even His own brothers taunted Him and didn’t believe in Him (John 7:3-5). A father will betray his own child to death—can you imagine such a thing? And a child will turn in his own parents. A brother will deliver up his own brother to death because of Jesus!
There are people whose families held funeral services for them upon hearing of their faith in Christ. I have read of a young, beautiful daughter whose father gave her poison and killed her because of her Christian faith. On social media, I’ve seen a mother burning her own daughter before a whole crowd because she went out of the city to attend a church service. Children have chased old parents out of the house. Many disciples are in hiding.
Only God knows how many people have persecuted, betrayed, or killed members of their own family because of their faith in Christ. Only God knows how many parents or children turned their own families in to the government in 2nd and 3rd Century Rome. Only God knows how many people were eaten by lions because they were turned in by their own family. Only God knows how many people in other countries throughout the history of the world have revealed to authorities about believing family members. But the Lord says to expect it; if you’re looking within your family for solace, you might instead find your own worst enemy.
Even today, many understand this. In countries where Islam, Buddhism, Communism, and even Judaism prevail, when a person comes to faith in Christ and publicly declares his faith, that person may very well face intense persecution or even death at the hands of his family. The one place that ought to be a refuge for us, a place of security—our family—becomes a danger zone. It happens in our own country as well. Families declare family members who have become Christians dead. They are no longer welcomed at family events. They have no inheritance. They are separated, stripped of all privileges, chased from the community, and even have their government rights taken away.
So, persecution will come through:
- Established Religion (v. 17): “Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.”
- Government (v. 18): “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.”
- Family (v. 21): “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.”
Religion, government, and family—because the god of this world can control all three.
The Divine Authority Behind the Mission
If the apostles and other believers had adopted the attitude of giving up, saying, “Why trouble ourselves? Just shut up,” you and I wouldn’t be saved. Indeed, there will be opposition; yes, we go in the midst of wolves as sheep. But our Gospel message, when empowered by the Holy Spirit, has the power to transform even the wolves.
This is an intentional mission. It is our Shepherd, who loves us, gave His life, and purchased us with His blood, who is sending us. “I send you forth.” It is a grand expression. The Greek text is emphatic, “Behold, I Myself send you as sheep in the midst of wolves.” The word “send” is not a common term, but a special term that means, “to send authoritatively, or to send out as a representative.”
I am sending you on a mission as representatives of Christ, bearing the testimony of the Gospel and its power to transform sinners. We go with the full protection and authority of Christ, and everything that happens in the mission will be used by the Lord. He will use it for His glory; there is a divine purpose in every persecution we face.
So, how can we handle persecution like the apostles and achieve what the apostles achieved? How should they react? What should our attitude be, and how should we manage this persecution? How should we react in the face of Satan using religion, government, and family?
There are six responses—a mindset that we need to have when we represent Christ in a God-hating world.
Six Responses to Persecution
Number one: Be Wise.
Verse 16 says, “Be ye, therefore, wise as serpents.” This is the proper conclusion to this challenge.
Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore 