Jesus sent out His disciples with very clear instructions. He told them where to go, what to say, what to do, and how to finance their mission (10:5-11). After that, however, He warned them that they would face fierce opposition, even deadly persecution. He didn’t want them to be surprised when people rejected both the Gospel message and the messengers. The same warning applies to us. If we are faithful to the truth, the world will hate us, just as it hated Jesus (John 15:18-20). Indeed, the more closely we resemble our Lord, the more hostility will we face from certain people. But Jesus’ promises to His first disciples also apply to us. “Do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak” (10:19). “He who endures to the end will be saved” (10:22). “Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known” (10:26). “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (10:32). In a word, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (10:28).