Forewarned Is Forearmed

by David Gibson

He had so much to tell them and so little time. It was Jesus’ last night with His disciples before the cross. Knowing what lay ahead, He wanted most to prepare them for the hardships they would soon be facing.

The value of warnings

He warned them that their enemies would oppose them as they had opposed their Master. “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away . . . . I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you” (John 16:1, 4).

As Lewis Foster has written, “To be forewarned of those periods of persecution was to be forearmed.”

And to prepare us as well

Like the apostles, every faithful Christian needs to know that persecution is inevitable (II Timothy 3:12). When such occasions arise, we can remember Who told us and be strengthened in our conviction that, because He is who He is, our suffering for Him will indeed be worth it.

One of those who heard Jesus that last night was Peter. Decades later, he wrote, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (I Peter 4:12-13).

O Father, strengthen us now so that when we are called to suffer for Christ, we will stand firm. In His name we pray. Amen.