MONDAY February 6, 2023

Counted Worthy to Suffer

And they [the council] agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 5:40-42

The Jews listened to Gamaliel’s masterful advice. They did not go through with their wicked plots to kill the Apostles; instead, they went ahead and had them beaten. According to Jewish Law, a person could be beaten up to 39 stripes. The Apostle Paul received the same punishment: From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one (2 Corinthians 11:24).

After the Apostles were beaten, they were cautioned once more not to speak in the name of Jesus. The Apostles went out rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ name. They completely ignored the demands of the religious elites and did not stop teaching and preaching that Jesus was the Christ. They continued giving the message of the Gospel in the Temple and in people’s homes.

How can any Christian stop speaking about Jesus Christ? They cannot. Jesus Christ is the Messiah. This is an undeniable truth. The Apostles knew Jesus was the Christ; they understood the Scriptures and were willing to suffer and die for the truth. These courageous men had an incredible influence in the early church. Like the Psalmist, they knew God was on their side: The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6).

Can you imagine the power and influence committed Christians have in this world today? They know God is on the throne! They also know He is on their side. There are those who are willing to die for Jesus Christ. They willingly become martyrs and rejoice that they, too, are counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name.

The martyr cannot be dishonored. Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame; every prison a more illustrious abode.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!