The world never stops trying to entice, tempt, and influence believers to take on its colors. Through its various maneuvers, the power of darkness will keep working to drag as many people as possible into eternal fire. This is why God sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ: to save and deliver as many people as possible from the prison of sin. However, for that purpose and mission, the Lord Jesus and His disciples would face enemies who cannot be taken lightly.
Indeed, the Lord Jesus described sending them as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3). The image of “lambs in the midst of wolves” is not comforting. Sheep have no claws, fangs, or the running speed of wolves. Naturally, sheep are vulnerable when wolves are involved. The Lord Jesus not only gave advice; He also experienced this condition Himself. The wisest counsel comes from someone who has gone through it.
Just as the Father accompanied His only Son in facing the world’s wolves, so He will guard and protect the disciples the Lord Jesus sent. God does not promise that the path the Lord Jesus walked will be free of obstacles and hindrances. Likewise, there is no guarantee that the journey His disciples face in their mission will always be safe and peaceful. But God promises His presence to both the Lord Jesus and His disciples. Believers are Christ’s messengers on this earth. Believers’ presence on earth is not without purpose or mere coincidence. God has a vision and purpose for bringing believers into this world. As the Lord Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,” believers must shine amid the world’s darkness. God uses believers as a light that illuminates the world, not to become like the world’s darkness.
Being light in the world’s darkness does not mean being without risk and challenge. What can happen is resistance, opposition, and hostility. Opposition can come from the power of darkness, toxic environments, hostile people, and even friends, close companions, and relatives. In Matthew 10:21–23 it is written, “Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
Believers live in a wicked world, a world that does not fear God. Therefore, believers must not follow the world’s colors by becoming people who do not fear God. Always remember the calling to be the Lord Jesus’ messengers amid a godless world. Never change, much less abandon, that calling—even in the most painful circumstances, such as betrayal by those closest to you. The Lord Jesus experienced this too.
This is not a surprising realism, but rather a fact that warns His disciples about what they may directly experience. This is not only an image of strangers being hostile, but also of the family table being divided because of faith. For some, this may feel distant from everyday experience. Yet for many brothers and sisters in faith, this passage of God’s word feels very close and real. They must face the heavy choice of remaining faithful to the Lord Jesus, even when family ties, wealth, or life itself are at stake. Be faithful to the end. Do not be half-hearted, much less mediocre.