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world, therefore the world hateth you.” Those who are of the same
spirit with the world receive its smiles and approbation; but the humble
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disciples of Jesus were to suffer scorn and persecution. Jesus declared
that they should be brought before kings and rulers for his name’s
sake, and whosoever should destroy their lives would be so deceived
by Satan as to think they were doing God service. Every indignity and
cruelty that the ingenuity of man could devise would be visited upon
the followers of Christ. But in all their trials they were to remember
that their Master had endured like reproach and suffering. They were
to remember his words: “The servant is not greater than his Lord. If
they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have
kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will
they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not Him that
sent me.”
The disciples were to go on valiantly in the footsteps of the Saviour,
keeping the prize of eternal life in view, and winning souls to Christ.
Even the opposition they were to meet would develop staunch elements
of character and shining virtues. Faith, patience, and trust in God, are
the perfect fruit that blossoms and matures best in the shadow of
adversity.
Jesus carefully opened before his disciples the events which would
follow his death, that when persecution should overtake them they
might be prepared to endure it, and not be tempted to apostatize from
their faith to avert suffering and dishonor. He led them gently on to
understand the great subjects which they were to deliver to the world.
He impressed upon them the importance of their position as those who
had witnessed the wonderful manifestations of God to his Son, who
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had beheld the miracles of Christ, and received his words of wisdom.
Said he, “Ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me
from the beginning.” The history of those disciples, and the evidence
which they were to record, were to be the study of thinking minds
through all ages.
Jesus plainly stated to the disciples that he had left the presence of
his Father to come unto the world, and that he was now about to leave
the world and return to his Father; but he refrained from crowding
their minds and confusing their understanding. Said he, “I have many
things to say unto you; but ye cannot bear them now.” Jesus knew they
were not strong enough to hear all the wonderful truths relative to his