Keep Teaching

Acts 5:41 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 Christ.
 
JESUS had told the 12,  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) We can imagine their initial response to this was fear and discouragement – even resignation and thoughts of abandoning Jesus. Crosses are heavy. Taking it up is the pathway to a suffering death. The pain and suffering of the cross is unbearable just once. But Jesus had said this kind of life would be their daily life. Who could do this?
   The apostles discovered they could do this. They could suffer for the sake of Jesus’ salvation. When they left their persecutors, their lashed skin, bruises and aching muscles were good reasons to go home to heal and rest. The injuries were good reasons to stop speaking of Jesus. Yes, they were good reasons until they focused on Jesus’ gospel as the reason for their suffering.
   The apostles had quickly understood their mission was God’s mission. Instead of wondering, “Why, Lord, have you brough this on us?”  they celebrated their Lord counted them worthy to suffer for his gospel.
   These fully-committed disciples had taken up the cross and discovered joy! Faithfully, they continued to teach and preach the Name in the temple and house to house in Jerusalem. Jesus had chosen. Jesus had commanded. Spirit-empowered they took action. God blessed them with a joy in their salvation.
   Persecution’s purpose is to disgrace the Christian and Jesus. When authorities arrest and abuse Jesus’ followers they want the public to see that following Jesus leads to disgrace. But what is humiliation before man is glory to God.
   When people mock you for speaking of Jesus, the Spirit is doing a special work in you. He has moved your heart to a new level of faith that demands you defend Jesus at all costs. Written on your heart is the truth that sin destroys and Jesus saves. Physical and emotional abuse is a cost you are willing to pay, so the sinners will know the Savior.
   Jesus calls each of us who declare faith in him to this high purpose. We grow in faith to more faithfully understand the value of our salvation and the promise of eternal life with Jesus. In faith and love we become willing to joyfully suffer for the One who has so sacrificially redeemed us. Peter later wrote: 1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
 God has given salvation of your soul. This must be the Christian’s goal. In all circumstances be willing to tell the good news.