May 29, 2008 - Acts 5:41

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Acts 5:41.
Peter and John were arrested for proclaiming the name of Jesus in the Temple, which they had been forbidden to do by the religious authorities – although they had been commissioned to do so by God, through the word of an angel. At their hearing, they were set free after being flogged. This is the same type of flogging that Jesus received on the day that He was crucified. It was a brutal penalty that sometimes led to death. These followers counted themselves worthy not because they were alive and set free, but because they had suffered in a similar manner as Jesus. Even more, they suffered because they stood firm as Jesus’ representatives. They had obeyed what they believed to be the word of the Lord, and they suffered as a result of standing firm.
There are times when I look back on my actions and discover that I, so unlike the disciples in this verse, rejoice when nothing happened to me and I escaped from suffering for my faith. There have, also, been a few times when I have complained about the “suffering” that I have received because of my faith. I realize that it is probably not such a good thing to go looking for opportunities to suffer for my faith, yet, when they do come, which they inevitably will, to all followers of Jesus, how will we respond? And then there are the times when we “cave” in and fail to take a stand for our faith when the opportunity presents itself.
Questions to consider: What are your thoughts concerning “suffering disgrace” for Jesus’ name? Have you “caved” in, not taking a stand for your faith in Jesus? What does that feel like when you think back on that time? What did it feel like to take a stand for Jesus?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You so much for taking a stand for us, even when we did not deserve it. Give us strength to stand for You whenever necessary, even if we suffer disgrace as a result. Amen.