There are likely verses or portions of scripture that you may have heard or read so many times that you remember the well-known part, but you may have forgotten the context, what verses come before or after or even the complete verse. One such example comes from John chapter 15 verse 20 where Jesus says:
"Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."
The part where Jesus says that if they persecuted him, they will persecute us also has been branded on my brain. And yes, it is certainly something we need to remember. But don’t forget about the rest of the verse where he says, that if they obeyed his teaching that they will obey ours also. So, there are two sides to this statement. One giving us a heads up about persecution that is bound to come our way, but the other encouraging us that when we share about Jesus - when we teach the words and concepts that he shared, people will believe and obey. I encourage you to remember this truth. Yes, we will be persecuted, but we will also find that if we boldly share what we know about our faith, that some will hear, they will come to Christ, and they will ultimately obey.
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Jesus tells us that if people persecuted him, they will persecute us also. But he also says that if people obeyed his teaching, they will obey ours also. I hope this truth encourages you to share about Jesus. We are to do it in love, and we should do it as we ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance. And if we do, Jesus tells us that there will be those who will hear and obey - not by our persuasive words, but because it is his pleasure to draw people to himself. And that is what the “great commission” is all about - spreading the good news about Jesus and the salvation he offers us. If you want to store up treasures in heaven, if you want to be used by God, you need to be ready to be persecuted but you also need to be ready to share about him so that people can believe.