Rejoicing in Suffering for Christ

⁴⁰ 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.

⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.⁴² 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.

Act 5:40-42

The Apostles were jailed by the Jewish leaders for preaching the name of Jesus. That night, the angel releases them from their cells and directs them to go back to the temple to preach. Knowing that they will be punished again, the Apostles obey and preach anyhow. Rather than being killed for blasphemy, they are flogged and then released. What strikes me as having amazing faith about the Apostles is - even though they are thrown into jail, they are still willing to go back to where it would be the most dangerous place to be, the temple courts. The move on the Apostle's part might have resulted in a stoning, but regardless they did not fear punishment, but rejoiced in suffering as Jesus suffered.

The cost of suffering for the Apostles was like a badge of honor. Rather than retreated after being released form jail, they had courage to continue to preach in obedience of God. There was no fear of death or pain, only joy when they received the stripes caused by the flogging. Amazing how men like this exist all for the name of Christ. I want to have passion like the Apostles. To be able to endure and find joy in being broken for Christ. If it means I should lose my life, I want have the courage and faith to lay it down for His name.

Jesus help me to have a deeper faith in which I would lay my life for your name. I ask that you would give me a real sense of love for you and not just a cop-out journal entry of how I want to live for you in this moment. I really do desire a deeper relationship with you. Help me Holy Spirit to find that passion for you.

In Jesus name Amen