AM I WORTHY? WOULD I SUFFER?

Today I have been reading Acts 5 which tells us the story of Peter and the other Disciples who continued to stand in the temple courts daily and teach the people. This totally disturbed the chief priests of the Sanhedrin.  Finally, in anger, the priests had the apostles brought before the Sanhedrin.   But, Peter said, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him to his own right-hand as prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."


To go on with the story, the Sanhedrin was furious and wanted to put Peter and the others to death, but a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law and honored by the people, stood and addressed the Sanhedrin, telling them that there had been many who had come and claimed to be somebody special, and  in due time their popularity had faded away. Continuing, he said, "Therefore, in the present case I advise you:  Leave these men alone!  Let them go!  For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." His speech persuaded them. 


Peter and the others were flogged, ordered not to speak and then, let go. But strangely, (Acts 5:41)
"the apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing!"  They rejoiced!  Why? Because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus!  They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ!


Study:  "This beating suffered by Peter and John was the first time any of the apostles had been physically abused for their faith.  These men knew how Jesus had suffered, and they praised God that God had allowed them to be persecuted like their Lord.  If one is mocked or persecuted for his or her faith, it isn't because that one is doing something wrong, but because God has counted you worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus."


I can't add much to what you have just read.  But, I can say this: I have never been persecuted or ridiculed for loving and serving the Lord Jesus.  In this day and age, most people who do not belong to the Lord are very weary of those who try and convince them of His Beauty, Wonder, and Joy.  Most are wary of those who try to "change" them.  Some are purely hostile.


I just want to show God's love by being a friend, by being loving to others.  When there is an opportunity to do that, I do it.  Someday there may come a moment when one of these might say to me, "Why do you care about me so much?  Then, I believe, I will be open to tell them.


I thank you, Lord, for that day and I hope I will care about you enough to keep my promise!


May the Lord bless us...the one reading and the one writing!


JOinMN