Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Matthew 10:16-23
Coming Persecutions
16 “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the gentiles. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you at that time, 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Sibling will betray sibling to death and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this town, flee to the next, for truly I tell you, you will not have finished going through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
A challenging reality about conflict is this: we’re taught to expect problems from people we don’t know, but often the deepest wounds come from the people who know us best.
Our families of origin.
Our friend groups.
Our spouse.
Our church.
Sometimes the people closest to us know exactly how to hurt us.
In Matthew 10:16–23, Jesus sends out his disciples on mission and gives them a warning: “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves.” It helps to remember that these disciples aren’t outsiders. They are members of the Jewish community. So Jesus isn’t only preparing them for opposition from strangers—he’s also preparing them for resistance that may come from familiar places and familiar people.
He even names what some of that resistance might look like: betrayal, public accusation, and trials. Much of it will come from synagogues and councils—spaces connected to their upbringing and spiritual life, from people they’ve known for a long time.
If you’ve experienced “church hurt,” you know how true this can be. Many of us have been wounded not by obvious enemies, but by our faith communities—through exclusion, suspicion, or being treated as a problem to manage. Sometimes churches form committees and hold conversations about hard topics, yet the people who are actually hurting feel unseen, unsafe, or quietly pushed aside. And when a community knows just enough about our brokenness, it can be tempting for them to keep their distance, as if pain were contagious.
Most of us won’t be flogged for our faith today. But being ostracized, dismissed, or left out by your faith family can still be profoundly painful.
In seasons like this, Jesus reminds us that we are not alone. He tells his disciples not to be anxious about what to say, because “the Spirit of your Father” will give them what they need in the moment. And he also reminds them that following him will require endurance—not because hardship is good, but because love and faithfulness often take time, especially when relationships are strained.
These promises are still true today. When you find yourself needing to speak truth with humility—or simply hold your ground with integrity—you can trust the Spirit to provide wisdom, restraint, and courage. Over time, difficult conversations can grow perseverance in us: the ability to keep showing up with gentleness and clarity, even when it would be easier to withdraw.
And if you’re carrying church hurt right now, hear this: Jesus sees it. He doesn’t minimize what happened or rush you to “move on.” Bring your hurt honestly to God. Ask for the words you need, the boundaries you need, and the endurance you don’t yet have. Healing may take longer than you want—but you are not alone, and your faithfulness is not wasted.
– Pr. Jason
Jesus, thank you for your love when the love of my neighbor feels far away or hard to reach. Thank you for giving me the wisdom I need to share my heart and the endurance to do it again and again. Amen.
