We are all prone to go astray.  That is why we need Jesus to bring us back to where we belong.  Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  Jesus was preparing His trainee apostles to be able to stay on track with Him after His death and resurrection, so that they could lead His church.  

The ministry life-style of the apostles would not be easy.  Persecution would soon become a normal part of the church’s life.  Under such pressure, there would be a temptation to fall away from trusting Jesus only.  Of course, Pentecost and the days afterwards were a wonderful ‘honeymoon’ in which the apostles were, “praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.” (Acts 2:47)  But shortly afterwards, Peter and John were put in jail because they were preaching about Jesus (Acts 4:2-3).  

The persecution continued, as Jesus had prophesied, because the religious leaders wrongly believed that they were serving God.    The reason they made such a big mistake was that they did not know the Father or the Son and had not received the Spirit – because they refused to worship Jesus as God or submit to Him.  One such Pharisee was Saul, later to be converted and renamed Paul (Acts 26:9-18).

There is more persecution in the church today than at any other time in history.  Partly, that is because there are many more believers and churches, but also because the preaching and worship of the Lord Jesus Christ is offensive to those who do not know Him.  Such hostility can be found as easily in an office block or university in a so-called Christian country as in places where other faiths dominate.  It is a heart issue.  Wherever people love the Lord, they will be persecuted by those who do not know Him. 2 Timothy 3:12-13 says, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” So, if they do not like you because you love Jesus, be encouraged!  Jesus said, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12).