When you are being prepared for a tough mission, the words come out strong and loud from the leader. Jesus is engaged in his mission of teaching the Word of God, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. He sees the needs of his sheep, this flock who is hanging on to his words and following him around. He needs collaborators from his disciples who will join him in his ministry – “the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few’!

But his ministry was one of hardships and hurdles even with the threat of losing one’s life. Jesus thus prepares his chosen disciples to move into the world and carry out the mission entrusted to them. He is preparing them to face the worst in terms of rejections and persecution for their faith. But even when they confront these hardships, the Spirit will be with them and speak on their behalf. They are assured of the intervention of the Holy Spirit to defend them and put forward the truth; the Spirit of the Father active in Jesus, the Son. Their willingness to  participate in the mission and the resulting sufferings, will enable them to be a part of the ‘Sonship’ of Jesus. 

When we are faced with hurdles, what is our immediate reaction? Do we back out easily or do we have the patience and resilience to face it and pray over it? Are we willing to look up to the Lord and keep our hope in him?