Worthy to Suffer
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Acts 5:40-42 NASB
After calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
They rejoiced at having been flogged. They kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ – the reason for which they had been flogged. These verses give me pause, because I do love Jesus. I love him passionately and with all that I am. Would I have the strength and courage to continue declaring him my Lord and Savior if I knew I would be beaten, with absolute certainty? After having been beaten would I run, rejoicing and filled with gratitude, to tell everyone about how fortunate I was to be worthy of persecution?
In America there aren’t too many opportunities to be flogged for what we believe. Although in many countries around the world, wars are raging based upon differences in religious beliefs, we don’t experience persecution on that level. In my mind, that’s all the more reason we must live on purpose as Christians. We must claim our inheritance as Children of God, brothers and sisters with Christ. How we live and what we do puts the world on notice: we are Christians, broken, sin-filled, forgiven and redeemed.
Our testifying, teaching and preaching may mean leaving a job where the company is dishonest or unethical. It may involve dissolving a friendship, or seeking out friends who model the behavior we strive for. Our persecution can take on many forms. We may be shunned at work or in a community organization. Even our families may not agree with our faith and how we choose to live it out. Some of these choices can be devastating and life changing. But none of them compare to the choice Christ made on our behalf.
With that in mind, how can we not declare Jesus as the Christ! God walked among us. He became flesh and blood. He experienced humanity. And when he was done, he loved us even more! It’s just inconceivable!
My prayer today is that you rejoice in the persecution you endure because you are a Christian. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, you keep right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Mary
