Transcript
Welcome to Enduring Words with David Guzik, a daily devotional podcast brought to you by Enduring Word. Today let's talk about being worthy to suffer shame.
I'm going to read to you from Acts chapter 5, three verses starting at verse 40. The prestigious council of important men hoped that they could intimidate the disciples into no longer preaching about Jesus. After strong warning, they called for the apostles and then beat them.
When we read those words in verse 40, we wonder just how badly were the apostles beaten? According to some scholars, the word beaten in verse 40 can also be translated skinned. In other words, the implication is that the beating they received stripped the skin off their back. Another commentator wrote, "It was no soft option. People were known to die from it. It was meant to be a serious lesson to the offenders."
Rejoicing to Suffer Shame
Yet, even after possibly such a severe beating, the apostles were not intimidated, and they were not discouraged. Instead, they left rejoicing. They were not rejoicing that they suffered, but that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. It was a privilege to be associated with Jesus in any circumstance, even to suffer shame.
Because of this joyful association with Jesus, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Whatever beating or shameful treatment the Sanhedrin gave them, it did absolutely no good. The disciples didn't stop preaching, even for a moment.
A Challenge to Us
This challenges each of us as followers of Jesus. They continued where we may have stopped. We often find the threat of social rejection is enough to make us keep quiet about who Jesus is and what he did for us. We need to have the apostles' courage and determination to stand firm for Jesus Christ.
We think that suffering shame for Jesus is like a deadly poison that will kill us. But under the work of God's Spirit, the shame that's heaped upon us for the sake of Jesus can instead be like a vitamin boost that makes us stronger.
Spurgeon's Bold Heart
The great preacher of Victorian England, Charles Spurgeon, spoke of this kind of bold heart. He said this:
Now I charge every Christian here to be speaking boldly in Christ's name, according as he has opportunity, and especially to take care of this tendency of our flesh to be afraid, which leads practically to endeavors to get off easily and to save ourselves from trouble. Fear not, be brave for Christ, live bravely for him who died lovingly for you.
I love that last phrase of Spurgeon's, live bravely for him who died lovingly for you.
You know, in the Western world, it's mostly only shame that we suffer for Jesus' name. If that's the case, let us bravely endure what we must bear, standing with and praying for our brothers and sisters across the world who must bear much worse for the name of Jesus. God helping us will do it and bring honor to our Savior. We can ask for that strength today.
Thanks for listening to Enduring Words with David Guzik. For more information about David's ministry, visit EnduringWord.com.