A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 13:9)

“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.” (Mark 13:9)

In Mark 13:9, Jesus reminded his disciples to stay alert in the face of persecution. “You must be on your guard,” he instructed. “You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.” Jesus pointed to a long, hard future for his followers. They would suffer hardship at the hands of the religious establishment and bear witness before secular authorities and political leaders. Enduring persecution from those who claim to be following God is especially painful. Yet history is rife with such accounts. Defending one’s beliefs to those who choose not to listen or simply reject reason appears to be a lost cause. Yet Jesus reminds his followers to see each hardship as an opportunity for witness. So be on your guard lest you destroy your witness by your response. Serving leaders expose evil by their examples of humility and love.

KEY QUESTIONS: What hardships am I currently facing? Am I missing an opportunity for witness due to a mere focus on survival? How should I respond to those who choose not to listen or to those who reject reason? How might I relate to those who persecute me, sincerely believing they are following God?