“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 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. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.“
Acts 5:34-42

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

….No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35, 37-39

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OCTOBER 11, 2024

Suffering for Christ may look different for different people. But let me say what suffering for Christ is not: it is not the consequences of our own sinful actions. It is not right for a Christian to be hateful and unkind towards non-believers, then claim they are suffering for Christ. It is not right for a Christian to twist and distort scripture for their own purposes and claim they are suffering for Christ when confronted.

If we are “suffering for Christ” and we don’t have true love for others—including our enemies!—we are not suffering the way Christ calls us to.

Suffering itself is not the goal. We don’t get suffering points we can show off to our friends like a global competition. Suffering happened to the disciples when they spoke the full truth, God’s truth, full of the Holy Spirit, humility, and love—even for the people wanting to kill them!

Remember, it wasn’t long ago that the disciples were with Jesus. It wasn’t long ago that they witnessed Him beaten and mocked, hammered to a cross to die a slow and terrible death. To see that happen to someone you love is impossible to forget. It burns a scar on your memory.

After the disciples were imprisoned, beaten, and miraculously released their first response was to rejoice. But rejoice why? Not because they were free. Not because they could go back to their busy lives. They rejoiced because they had watched Christ suffer for speaking and living the truth of God, and now they were here, suffering for the very same thing. They were following the Spirit, reflecting Jesus. I wonder if this wasn’t a reminder from Jesus saying, “See? I’m still here. I’m with you. I will never leave you.” The disciples were able to rejoice because they had learned that Christ was worth more than anything else in this life. If they had the resurrected Christ, they had everything.

When we let Christ in, when we live our lives resting in our union with Him and growing in that union, we will increasingly find the courage and kindness to speak God’s truth to those around us. We may suffer, but that’s not the point. The point is growing to love Christ, and the people Christ loves, above all things.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Spend time humbling yourself in awe before the one true God. Let’s ask for His grace to help us live as Christ lived more and more each day.

 

Church Reading Plan:

  • Today, October 11: Ezekiel 44; Psalm 97-98
  • Saturday, October 12: Ezekiel 45; Psalm 99-101
  • Sunday, October 13: Ezekiel 46; Psalm 102