If the disciples looked for kindness and gratitude from man they would be painfully disappointed. The must expect to be mistreated like their Master. Jesus is dispatching an army into the world. Imagine how absurd it would be if a commander knew what battle was like and only cheered his troops on. How cruel, would a General be, if he sent troops into battle and never prepared them at all for opposition, as if they would meet only positive response.
People have to be prepared for opposition.
One of the most fun things I've done in a while has been to work with Andrew's basketball team. Our guys have a lot of fun and have improved over the season. But I have to prepare them for what is called a press. In our league that means that the other team jumps around like crazy, trips over one another, unduly excite the rabid parents, and generally wreak organized havoc. The goal is to keep our team from getting the ball across mid-court.