Jesus gave the twelve disciples a limited commission to “go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). He told them that not everyone would receive them (Matthew 10:14) and that they would face persecution (Matthew 10:17-18). But He also told them not to fear those who would harm them (Matthew 10:28). Persecution is meant to intimidate Christians into being silent about their faith, or to abandon it altogether. We need to be prepared to handle this.