God's other promises

This week's verses are John 16:1-4:

“I have told you all these things so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue, yet a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father or me. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.

“I did not tell you these things from the beginning because I was with you.

Jesus shares these words with his disciples after a short conversation about persecution. When persecution comes, the natural response would be to run away. Normal people would take it as a sign they are on the wrong path. But Jesus is telling them in advance that it is the right path.

What would you think if you showed up in a church and after attending a couple weeks, the pastor pulled you aside and was like "Look, full disclosure, before you get too involved, here's the deal: Most people around here think we're heretics. If you come, you'll likely get harassed by the cops, have your windows smashed in the middle of the night, and sometimes you might get roughed up a bit. Occasionally worse." Would you go back? Would that seem like a good church home for you?

But that's basically what Jesus is saying to his disciples. The religious people think he's a dangerous heretic. And they will do the same to his disciples as they will soon do to him. He's warning them not so that they can escape and live comfortable lives, but so that they will know it's part of his plan. These terrible things that are coming are the normal Christian life he is inviting them to, not the scenario to be avoided at all costs.

People are quick to quote all of the verses where Jesus promises prosperity and that people's life circumstances will change for the better. But where are the Christian bookmarks and refrigerator magnets for these promises? Where are the songs with catchy refrains, the cinematic music videos with beautiful people singing "the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God?"

And yet these promises Jesus makes to his disciples are even more intimate than the others. He is sharing his pain, offering them participation in his suffering, showing his knowledge of the future, that he is in control. He is being vulnerable, giving them a glimpse of what a relationship with him will really look like, giving them the chance to reject him and run away.

He offers two paths: take up the cross and follow him, or slink out under cover of darkness and join the safe crowd yelling "crucify him!" To reject him is to join the crowd. To accept him is to accept all that follows, for better or for worse. This is the choice he gives them.

Which do you choose? Things are pretty safe right now, so it's easy to think you're just signing up for fewer doctor visits and more zeroes at the end of your bank account. (If only.) But what about the things you don't hope for? Are you willing to take those too, if they are part of the deal?

Read through these verses, and notice the beauty of the conversation Jesus is having with his disciples. He is hiding nothing. He loves them enough to give them a choice. He wants them to know him for who he is. He wants them to be ready.

Is this the God you want? Are you willing to say "amen" to all of his promises? It's your choice.