Monday 29 October 2007

Background

The words of Jesus in this section of John's gospel form a partof the package of building up, encouraging and inspiring thedisciples, as Jesus tries to prepare them for life without hisphysical presence.

In the course of one evening the disciples had seen Jesus, theirteacher and Lord, wash their feet, eaten bread and wine together,seen Judas rush out, been told that Jesus would leave them soon butthe Holy Spirit would come to them. By this time they must havebeen very puzzled and rather worried.

Now Jesus reminds them to love each other and tells them what toexpect because they are his followers. They will be given help totestify and to be witnesses by the Spirit of truth.

What do these words mean for modern day disciples?

Earlier this year I was able to attend a World Seminar of over 200Methodists from 60 different countries. We worshipped, prayed andlearnt together, as we sought to share the gospel of Jesus Christfrom our particular cultures and contexts. During a coffee break Isat next to a man for whom the hatred from the world towardsChristianity meant persecution, loss of employment and even death,yet he had so much confidence in the gospel that he just knew hewas following Jesus and that God would hold him and his familywhatever happened. He was following his master and was living inthe expectation of persecution, as that was what Jesus hadpromised, wasn't it?

The 'master' had challenged authority, both religious and civil, hehad broken many social taboos by reaching out to the poor and theoutcast and he led a movement that was capable of turning the worldupside down. He now knew he was going to die because of his wordsand actions.

Is persecution part of our Christian discipleship in the UK, wherewe have so much freedom?

To Ponder

Can we use this day to pray for the people whoare facing persecution in many parts of the world and ask that theSpirit of truth bring them what they need, this moment, this time,right now?

Are you able to pray for those who persecuteyou?

Should persecution be the expectation for allChristians if we truly follow the subversive agenda of Jesus?