Matthew 10

Matthew 10:16-18 NIV

[16] “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. [17] Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. [18] On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

There are televangelists making a lot of money on what the call the prosperity gospel. Jesus never says that following him is easy. On the contrary, he indicates over and over that there will be trouble and hardship because of him. 

Matthew 10:21-22 NIV

[21] “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. [22] You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

These are not comforting words. If you have family members that are not believers then you may have experienced their discomfort or even anger. Only those who stand firm in their belief will enter the kingdom of heaven. I have found that those that question me actually help me grow deeper in my faith by making me defend my faith and search out the truth. 

Matthew 10:32-33 NIV

[32] “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. [33] But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:34-36 NIV

[34] “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. [35] For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— [36] a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

These words appear to be Jesus advocating for war or fighting. We must remember that Jesus’ overall message is love. Love for god and then love for your neighbor. Because of sin in the world, and Satan working to tear us down, the message of love will cause non believers to hate and kill believers. We see this going on around the world even today.