Jesus Has just given us the word that when He sends out preachers, He does so intending that the community receiving them is responsible for supporting their preaching efforts. He uses the phrase cautioning against preventing the worker (ox) from benefitting from his labor (threshing the grain). Here Jesus is telling them how they will behave as sent preachers. He begins with telling them not to be naive. Though they are to act as sheep and be wise as serpents, they are to behave as innocent as doves. You have to be aware that if you've been sent as a Preacher, you're existing with a target on your back. Enemies of the gospel will seek to imprison you, lie about you and physically attempt to hurt you. Jesus doesn't want them to be unaware that their preaching of the gospel, when it's done right ALWAYS results in persecution. On the flip side some church leaders get jealous when blessings are being experienced by those willing to do the work when they aren't. This jealousy will create a barriers between those actually ministering and those who maintain perceived power. It allows the enemy to work freely within the congregation. Jesus warns them, yes, you will be dragged before authorities, kings and governors. But Jesus never promised that the consequences for following Him would always result in miraculous deliverance. Sometimes, the unfair verdict will stand. Sometimes, the lie will convince the right people and you will be punished for it. Of the 12 original apostles, 11 lost their lives to martyrdom 1 to suicide. Keep in mind when God sends you in His name to preach, and you are compelled to defend your actions before authorities that the Holy Spirit will grant you the words to use. We are very quickly seeing a world where the Gospel is despised and preachers are being martyred by Islamic radicals, communist governments and trans activists. Accepting the call to ministry is increasingly becoming more and more dangerous as time goes by. Jesus then warns them that even their families can be against them in the preaching of the gospel. The people who know you best are those who often persecute you the most. Jesus’ hometown rejected His message. So don't be surprised to find friends and family rejecting your efforts. Jesus then says something that leaves Calvinist teachers angry. He says, “He who endures to the end will be saved.” He's letting the apostles know that the persecution they will experience may not end with them escaping death. Although He tells them to flee if possible, He tells them that enduring the persecution is part and parcel of the job. We all have to be prepared to lose our lives for the sake of spreading the gospel. But if we endure, despite the temporary outcome, we will be saved eternally. As preachers we are sent to preach and if we are doing it right, we will be hated, imprisoned and or killed. Here is your homework. That friend or relative you've been hesitant to share the gospel with, do it now. You don't know that they are promised tomorrow to hear it later. You don't know if you are promised a tomorrow to tell them in. Tell me the results at DavidsPorch59[gmail].com and if you allow, I will share the results at Lordsbook on the Porch Ministries page. Matthew 10:16-23 [16] “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. [17] But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; [18] and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. [19] But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. [20] For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you. [21] “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. [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. [23] “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.