One of the most sobering truths Jesus shared with His disciples is this: the eagerness with which you identify with Christ will be reflected in how readily Jesus will be to identify His life with you.
There are some who are embarrassed of their walk with Christ. They keep it a private, secret affair. They never speak up for Christ. They do not identify themselves with His cause. They never speak up for His righteousness sake.
Yet when these same people face needs in their own lives, they anxiously expect Christ to rush to their aid. They fully expect Christ to embrace them upon their entry into heaven.
Jesus was sending His twelve disciples out as sheep among wolves. He knew they would face opposition and criticism. Jesus understood it would be tempting to remain silent and to blend in with the darkness around them. So Jesus gave this strong warning. The passion with which they identified with Christ would be reflected in the way Jesus identified with them.
For some that is a sobering thought.