Endurance to the End

Matthew 10:16-23

June 1, 2003

 

We sometime use the phrase, "fold the tent," to express giving up or retreating from some pursuit. It conveys that you have reached a point that your strength to go forward has ended or that the barriers before you appear insurmountable. But these are words that Jesus Christ never uses in regard to His disciples and the mission of the gospel. We are never to fold the tent in the charge to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Endurance to the end must characterize our passion and mission for Christ.

 

Christ has left us some wonderful examples to help us press on. That tiny band of first-followers of Christ endured opposition, arrests, scourgings, and executions with unabated zeal for Christ and the gospel. Through the centuries the indomitable courage of John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, John Knox, Anne Askew, and a host of others modeled Christian endurance while maintaining the keenness of disciples on mission for Christ.

 

Among these models is John Rogers who used the pseudonym, Thomas Matthews, as he labored with William Tyndale on translating the Scriptures into the English language. Rogers' Oxford studies put him into the ranks of one of England's finest translators. He was invited by some Belgium merchants to join Tyndale in the translation work, and while translating the Scriptures, the lights came on and John Rogers was brought to faith in Christ. After completing the translation that became known as "Matthews' Bible," which Henry VIII placed in all the churches of Britain, John Rogers moved away from the hotspot of Belgium where Tyndale had been arrested and executed, to Wittenberg, Germany where he served as a pastor. He faithfully preached God's Word until returning to England upon the ascension of good King Edward VI to the throne. Edward appointed Rogers to two parish churches in London, as well as a lectureship at St. Paul's. But when Edward died suddenly, Queen Mary rose quickly to quell the preaching of the gospel. Charged with heresy before the unprincipled Bishop Stephen Gardiner, Rogers replied, "That which I have preached I will seal with my blood." And soon he did, as he was burned alive at Smithfield. But his endurance continued even in the flames. A French ambassador observed the execution resembling more of a wedding than an execution! Such is the case with those owned by Jesus Christ enduring to the end!

 

That same kind of endurance continues. Christians in Indonesia and Pakistan, in Nigeria and Nepal persist in living as Christians and sharing their faith in Christ, even though it means certain opposition and maybe even attack by Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists. It happens on college campuses as well in our nation, and in the workplace and in neighborhoods. The world seems to be increasingly hostile toward the gospel. Yet the challenge to faithfulness in declaring the gospel to the world has never been more necessary. It is only as Christians endure as gospel messengers that the world has hope.

 

So we must consider our own mission in the 21st century to carry the gospel into our community and into the world beyond. We will not do it without opposition or criticism or foes. The nature of the gospel breeds contempt from the very ones that need the gospel. Jesus Christ calls for endurance while on mission in this world. But our tendency is to shrink back when rebuffed, so how can we endure to the end? Think with me on the words of Christ that motivate us to endure to the end.

 

I. Christ sends

 

This passage remains part of the context of Christ instructing and sending forth the Twelve on their first mission into Galilee. It seems that the Lord gave this charge and instruction in a concentric fashion. The first circle, the core of the charge, was their work in Galilee among their own countrymen. But now He widens the circle to include mission into regions beyond, where they would not just be unwelcome but arrested, punished, and even put to death for the gospel. He goes further to warn that even one's own family might betray them unto death. Christ sets true discipleship into the framework of fearing Christ rather than the world (10:26-31), confessing Christ before men (10:32-33), and loving Christ above all (10:34-39).

 

While the previous passage we considered (10:1-15) offered detailed instruction for the Twelve unique to their particular mission into Galilee, we see that the instructions that follow look beyond the Galilean mission into the world at large - and consequently, to Christians at large. Synagogues and scourging were part of the first century scene of gospel opposition, but similar opposition has followed through the centuries. However, we must be careful not to simply focus on the opposition. It is there - a reality and certainty that follows Christians through the centuries - but the greater issue is that it is Christ that has sent us into the world with the gospel.

 

1. Intentional mission

 

That is why we must see this as an intentional mission. Sometime people in our community are robbed and assaulted because they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But the opposition and unfriendly circumstances faced in Christian mission are not untimely accidents. They are the very atmosphere into which Jesus Christ sends forth His followers with the gospel message. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves." The Greek text is emphatic, "Behold, I myself send you as sheep in the midst of wolves." The word "send" is not the term most commonly used in Koine Greek, but instead it is a special term that means, "to send authoritatively, or to send out as a representative." In other words, Christ emphatically declares that He is sending His little band of followers into the world. They go on mission as representatives of Christ, bearing the testimony of the gospel and its power to transform sinners. They go with the authority of Christ that has been delegated to them to preach, to heal, and to deliver. They go forth with the only message that can turn the heart of a wolf into a sheep!

 

The "sheep in the midst of wolves" pictures the stark reality of what happens when the gospel is carried into the world. Sometime sheep are used metaphorically for dumb, senseless animals. But here the idea is that of defenselessness. Christians do not go forth to conquer the world by military might. We are not like Islam that has direction from the Koran to conquer the nonbelievers in Allah. We do not mobilize with our weaponry or suicide bombs or explosives to crush our enemies. Instead, Christ sends us forth "as sheep in the midst of wolves," to carry the good news of salvation through Christ to the wolves.

 

Jesus Christ sends His followers into a hostile setting. Yes, He could subdue every enemy - and indeed, one day He will - and crush every trace of opposition so that we would have smooth sailing in our gospel expansion. But He does not do that. In the first century, throughout Christian history, and into the present settings he sends forth His followers where the gospel is not wanted and not appreciated and even hated. That tells us much about the love and compassion of Jesus Christ for the world that is at enmity with Him. He has already done battle at the cross with the enemy of our souls and with the enmity within our souls. Now He sends us forth with the critical battle decided to declare His victory in the cross, and thus turn the hearts of wolves into submissive hearts of sheep.

 

Make no mistake. Jesus does not call the church to an easy task. "In the midst of wolves" is not a pretty scene! It tells us the reality of men's hearts - that of enmity with God (Rom 8:7), and loving the darkness of sin rather than the light of truth (John 3:19). But the fact that Christ sends out His disciples as messengers of hope into that setting tells us of the certainty that the gospel alone can turn God-haters into passionate lovers of God through Christ. Christ's intentional mission for His disciples gives us confidence that He intends to continue His saving work in a multitude of God hating sinners until He returns. So take heart. Christ has sent you into the midst of wolves with the certainty that the gospel's power is adequate to transform wolf-hearts.

 

2. Sustaining condition

 

The reality of such a daunting mission calls for a right response: "so [or therefore, as though drawing the proper conclusion to this challenge] be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." What do snakes and doves have in common for Christians? Both of these creatures were commonly used in the ancient world to picture the characteristics posed by Christ. "Shrewd as serpents" calls for prudence and wisdom in the face of danger. Snakes are known for being able to maneuver their way out of danger. William Hendriksen explains this analogy well.

The keenness here recommended as a human quality involves insight into the nature of one's surroundings, both personal and material, circumspection, sanctified common sense, wisdom to do the right thing at the right time and place and in the right manner, a serious attempt always to discover the best means to achieve the highest goal, an earnest and honest search for an answer to such questions as: "How will this word or this action of mine look 'in the end'?" "How will it affect my own future, that of my neighbor, God's glory?" "Is this the best way to handle the problem or is there a better way?" [New Testament Commentary: Matthew, 461].


But it is not a call to compromise Christian convictions in order to escape the pressure of opposition. Thus we are to be "innocent as doves." Innocence in this case literally means "unmixed." Leon Morris comments that it "points to single-mindedness in doing the right; 'it demands not naivety, but an irreproachable honesty'" [The Gospel According to Matthew, 253, quoting R. T. France]. John Calvin reminds us of the nature of doves, "though naturally timid, and liable to innumerable attacks, fly in their simplicity, imagine themselves safe till they are struck, and in most cases place themselves within the reach of the fowler's snares" [Calvin's Commentaries, XVI, 451]. In other words, doves maintain zeal without fear of danger in their flight. Christians, likewise, are to be zealous for the work of the gospel, pure in our motives so that we do not spend our days simply trying to make life comfortable for ourselves, but zealous to speed forward even in the face of danger.

 

Such innocence balances the shrewdness of serpents. On one hand, our Lord calls for proper use of caution, being wise about where to go with the gospel, with whom to speak, how to approach someone, when to withdraw, when to move on to another place or setting. But someone could get out of balance on that end, and seek to avoid any kind of conflict altogether. "Innocent as doves" reminds us to avoid a self-protective spirit that is really nothing but selfishness, instead to be zealous for the cause before us. Yet, zealousness must not outrun sanctified common sense. Hence, shrewdness and innocence balance us in the work of the gospel. Some, out of zealousness, are what Ligon Duncan calls "bazookas for Christ," barreling on without care or thought - just like a dove. But others are so overly cautious that they fear offending anyone with the gospel, so they take no chance and speak to no one. "It's difficult to be both wise and zealous for the Lord at the same time," writes Ligon Duncan, "and that's precisely what Christ calls His disciples to be" ["The Ambassadors of the Kingdom (3): Persevere in a Difficult Task," www.fpcjackson.org, p. 3].

 

II. Christ warns

 

The warning of Christ to His followers reminds me of the kind of warnings given by commanders to their soldiers before battles. "Men, some of you will not return. Some of you will be wounded, maimed, or captured by the enemy. But go forth for the cause of justice and liberty. Fight with all your might. Lay down your life, if need be, for the cause that unites us." With words like that, men have lunged out of amphibious crafts at Omaha and Utah Beaches, or assaulted Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima, or flown into enemy flak over Iraq. We marvel at such courage. But the devotion to freedom carried them forth into danger.

 

As important as the cause of liberty and justice is for all of us, the charge of Christ to go forth with the gospel is of even greater magnitude. For what Christ calls us to do is to declare an eternal gospel that gives sinners an eternal hope, and an eternal liberty because of the eternal work of justification at the cross. Is it dangerous to carry the gospel into the world?

 

1. Opposition lurks

 

Christ declares that opposition lurks. "But beware of men," that is the world of men in opposition to the gospel - men whose hearts are at enmity with God. "But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues." The courts identified in this case are the local assemblies that were associated with the synagogues. Once convicted in this religious court, the prisoner would be liable to scourging - thirty-nine lashes with a leather whip studded with shrapnel while Psalms are being sung or the Law being read. It was both painful and humiliating, marking the individuals as enemies of Israel and Judaism. But more is noted. "And you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles." We immediately think of the provincial governors Pilate, Felix, and Fetus, and the Roman installed kings, Herod, Agrippa, and even Nero, before whom Peter, James, Paul, and others stood (though not each one before each ruler). They bore eloquent testimony to Christ and the gospel. Luke records the amazement among the members of the Jewish Sanhedrin by the thoughtful, reasoned testimony of Peter and John, even though they were uneducated men (Acts 4:13). Paul discussed "righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come" before Felix, so much so that he became frightened and sent Paul away (Acts 24:24-25), and before Agrippa who was almost convinced to become a Christian (Acts 26:24-29).

 

All of us will not stand before governors and kings. Some continue to do so, especially in other parts of the world, testifying of Christ and the gospel in the midst of powerful rulers. The question we face is how do we handle the situations in which we find ourselves because of the gospel? Maybe it is in the workplace or before your boss or a classmate or a professor - do we boldly, wisely testify of the Lord Jesus Christ? I'm thankful for those in the spotlight testifying of Christ. Recently, two young men that have gained notoriety in college football, declined to have their photos appear in Playboy as part of that pornographic magazine's All-American team. They stated clearly the reason: their convictions as Christians. But most of us are not in the media spotlight. Someone at work or school asks questions about our lives. Do we tell them of "the hope that is within us" as Peter exhorts us to do (I Pet 3:15)? Let us take from this passage the reality that the world lurks in opposition to the gospel and its messengers, but that should not dissuade us from boldly speaking of Christ, who sends us forth to the world.

 

2. Anxiety unnecessary

 

Our Lord calms the nerves of His followers by issuing a command to not worry when you are in such a trying situation for the sake of the gospel. This passage particularly addresses those times of persecution that many followers of Christ face. "But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." This passage certainly is not an excuse for laziness in our study of the Scripture or lack of preparation for times of teaching, preaching, or witnessing. Some have mistaken this text as just such an excuse. And it is quite obvious when they open their mouths that the Spirit is not speaking but a lazy mind and tongue! But what Christ does is to give comfort in the midst of warning. When you are on the hot seat or judicial-chair or courtroom for the sake of the gospel, "do not worry about how or what you are to say." In other words, should the time of great persecution come as is so common in Asia, Europe, and Africa today, do not spend your time fretting over whether or not you will be able to give a clear, reasonable answer to the questions you face. Jesus Christ assures His persecuted followers that they will have the Spirit's assistance in speaking just the right word.

 

One of the most remarkable testimonies before enemies of the gospel is that of Anne Askew in the16th century, who was hauled before the ecclesiastical and political courts for rejecting the mass. In one question after another she had grace to give a clear, biblical answer to her English persecutors. Her questioner, a Catholic theologian, asked, "Why did you say that you would rather read five lines in the Bible than hear five masses?" Anne Askew replied, "Because the one does greatly edify me, the other nothing at all: as St. Paul says, 'If the trump give an uncertain sound who will prepare himself to the battle?'" The Lord Mayor of London later asked, "Thou foolish woman, after the words of consecration (i.e. in the service of the mass), is it not the Lord's body?" Anne replied, "No, it is but consecrated bread, or sacramental bread." The mayor continued, "What if a mouse eat it after consecration? What will become of the mouse? What sayest though, foolish woman?" Anne responds, "What shall become of it, say you, my Lord." The mayor crows, "I say that that mouse is damned" Anne quips, "Alack, poor mouse!"

 

Later Anne Askew was sentenced to be burned at Smithfield. When exhorted to recant her faith, she calmly replied, "I came not hither to deny my Lord and Master." And with that the flames were delayed no longer. Her testimony of Christ and the gospel continued to speak long after the flames had died out [S. M. Houghton, Sketches from Church History, 115-120]. The Holy Spirit directed her words so that they struck like arrows at their targets, leaving a gospel legacy for centuries.

 

III. Christ encourages

 

The persecution by religious circles and governments seems bad enough, but Christ warns, "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parent and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name."  The "all" in this case is used in a qualitative rather than a quantitative sense. You will be hated by all manner of people, including those among your own family. Some that receive this sermon via email in other places around the globe understand this reality all too much. In countries where Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and even Judaism prevails, when a person comes to faith in Christ and publicly declares his faith, that person may very well face intense persecution or even death at the hands of his family. The one place that ought to be a refuge for us, and place of security - our family - becomes a danger zone. It happens in our own country as well. Families declare dead their family members that have become Christians. They no longer are welcomed at family events. They have no inheritance. They are cut off so that only the civility that rules our nation keeps even worse from happening as it does in many parts of the world. But is this cause to grieve? After being flogged, the apostles rejoiced at being considered worthy to suffer shame for Christ's name. Consider how our Lord set this forth.

 

1. Identification with Christ

 

It is because of the Christian's identity with Christ that he faces persecution and opposition. "You will be hated by all because of My name." "Name," as we've noted previously, conveys "all that the person is and stands for" [Morris, 256]. Never mind that the kind of hatred shown to believers is unreasonable and irrational; it is a reality - and one that Christ insists the Christian understands. Think of it, those that are identified because of their love for Christ and others are now hated because of that love. Can you explain such animosity apart from exposing the dark, wicked hearts of human depravity?

 

Persecution becomes a badge of authenticity for the Christian. "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," wrote Paul (II Tim 3:12). Because Christ was opposed so will be His followers. But in such identity glory rather than grieve. For it is an indelible brand-mark of Christ in the believer's life.

 

2. Enduring because of Christ

 

And so as one warned by Christ and now identified with Christ, endure to the end. "But it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved." The soft, generic brand of Christianity embraced by so many in our day shuns the thought of endurance. Just give me a comfortable Christianity and I'm satisfied, the masses seem to say. But identity with Christ means opposition as He faced. That calls for endurance - or perseverance in our faith. The Epistles to the Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews are epistles of endurance. Revelation is a book exhorting endurance. While there is the certainty that the One that began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:6), it is just as certain that those being preserved will also be persevering in the faith (Rom 5:1-5, 8:31-39; Gal 5:1-26; Heb 3:1-19, 6:1-20, 10:19-39, 12:1-29). Does this put the onus of salvation upon our strength? Lord forbid! That salvation was settled at the cross, and the certainty of our election and calling is found in the strength to persevere in the faith. Christ did not hesitate to call for endurance because He knows what He has placed within the heart of every believer so that we can endure.

 

3. Zeal for Christ

 

This text is not a call for voluntary martyrs. Christ does not counsel us to brush aside common sense. "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next." In other words, when persecution comes, don't fold the tent; move on to another place and continue proclaiming the gospel. Follow the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. He would often wind up in a center of controversy that ended in hostility. Sometime the Apostle would get out of town, going where he had more freedom to preach the gospel. He did not stick around to prove a point about how much faith he had in the Lord. He used common sense and discernment, which Christ counsels us to do as well.

 

The call is for continued zeal for Christ. You might face persecution but do not let that seal your lips that carry the gospel message. "For truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes." Interpreters debate whether Christ meant (1) the immediate setting of carrying the gospel into Galilee prior to the Ascension, or (2) Christ delivering judgment upon reprobate Israel at the time of Jerusalem's fall in A.D. 70, or (3) Christ sending the Holy Spirit to comfort them, or (4) the return of Christ to judge the world. Strong cases can be built for both the second and fourth of these, Christ judging Israel toward the end of the Apostolic era as they had gone through the cities of Israel and Christ coming in global judgment. Perhaps the duplicity is intended, maybe even employing all of these to some degree in prophetic language (cf. Broadus, Selected Works, III, 228). Whichever it might be, the purpose is to encourage Christ's followers to stay at the work of spreading the gospel until Christ comes.

 

Conclusion

 

Endure as Christians and gospel messengers - that's the heart of Christ's instruction. This means that we must endure with a biblical gospel and not attempt to change it in the face of the world's opposition. Ligon Duncan summarizes this well. "We must not give in to the temptation to alter the gospel to make it more popular, because the very enmity against the gospel that we face when the gospel is properly preached and proclaimed, is not a sign that we're doing something wrong, but it may well be the sign that we're doing precisely what God wants us to do individually and corporately" [p. 4].

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