Daily Play Call #48
23 When they persecute you in one town [that is, pursue you in a manner that would injure you and cause you to suffer because of your belief], flee to another town; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant or slave above his master.
Matthew 10:23-24 AMPC
Run to safety when persecuted
In Matthew 10, Jesus is commanding His disciples and He tells them that when they are out evangelizing and are being persecuted to run or flee to another town. Jesus is telling them how to handle death threats and attacks from people who oppose the faith. Jesus does not want us to fight back physically. In Matthew 5, He said, "To love, bless, do good to and pray for our enemies." This is how we love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Those who oppose us and desire to harm us we will pray for them, love them, bless them and do good to them. Also, we will escape for the safety of our lives.
There were many times when Jesus had to escape the hands of the Pharisees and Sadducees who wanted to kill Him.
58 Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I Am.
59 So they took up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus, by mixing with the crowd, concealed Himself and went out of the temple [enclosure].
John 8:58-59 AMPC
In John 8, Jesus was able to hide Himself and escape from the temple.
In Acts 9, the Apostle Paul had to escape from the Jews who were trying to kill him after his conversion on the road to Damascus because he was preaching the Gospel.
24 But [the knowledge of] their plot was made known to Saul. They were guarding the [city’s] gates day and night to kill him,
25 But his disciples took him at night and let him down through the [city’s] wall, lowering him in a basket or hamper.
Acts 9:24-25 AMPC
When we are faced with persecution let us be obedient to what Jesus has commanded. Yes it is very hard to love our enemy and pray for them, but if we are true followers of our Lord Jesus Christ we will obey our Master's command because we LOVE Him and because we LOVE our neighbor (enemy) as we love ourselves.
Deny yourself, pick up your cross daily and follow Jesus! Luke 9:23