Friday, April 15 – Matthew 10:22

And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

Have you ever been troubled because someone didn’t like you? There is something inside all of us that seeks the approval of others and struggles when we are at odds with another person. It’s a tough pill to swallow when we read Jesus’s words here. He shared these words with His apostles to warn them of the things they would endure but also to give them hope in what seemed to be a grim future.

When making a decision, we often assess the cost compared to the reward. The more reward we see in a situation, the more we are willing to give up and endure to achieve it. Jesus reminded His disciples of the reward because He wanted them to know the immeasurable value of it. He also knew the cost of losing relationships in deeply hurtful ways. The question today is do you recognize the immeasurable reward found in following Jesus? Do you know how precious of a gift it is to be saved? Do you value an inheritance in heaven more than convenience on earth? There are so many things that distract us and seem like they have value, but in the end, are actually cheap and temporary. The hope of Christ stretches far, wide, and deep into our lives. Enduring hate and suffering may sound scary, but when we assess this compared with the eternal hope we have in Jesus, the cost is more than worth it for the value of the reward.

• What are some costs you have paid because of your faith?
• Why is there no cost too high in following Jesus?
• Pray and be honest with God about some of the costs you are scared of facing in your faith.