Jesus’ words in this passage remind us that following him is not an easy road. In fact, it is a road fraught with difficulty and hardship. He tells us that we should not expect to be treated any better than he was. And he was rejected, beaten, and ultimately crucified.
But Jesus also reminds us that the reward for following him is far greater than any temporal pleasure or comfort. He promises us eternal life and a close relationship with God the Father.
Having given his disciples remarkable powers to heal, exorcise demons, raise the dead, and to teach them a hopeful message, Jesus is now warning them that their mission is not easy.
Among all the horrors they will face, there is one that is particularly difficult to bear: persecution.
