CHRIST’S FELLOWSHIP OF SUFFERING
Peter and some of the apostles were put in the common prison by the high priest for continuing to preach in the name of Jesus. That night, an angel set them free from the prison and instructed them to go and preach in the Temple courts. When the high priest brought the council together that morning, he sent to the prison for the apostles. But the officers returned with word that the prison doors were locked and the guards still in place, but the apostles were gone. Then, another came exclaiming, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
So they arrested them again and brought them before the council to command them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. When Peter again insisted that they “ought to obey God rather than men,” they plotted to kill the apostles. However, the highly respected Rabbi Gamaliel intervened, convincing the council that if these apostles were of men, the movement would soon die out. And if it were of God, they could not stop it anyway. So, the council again warned the disciples and after beating them, they were released.
After being arrested, imprisoned, beaten and then released, the apostles rejoiced. Why? Was it because they were freed. No. It was because they had been counted worthy of suffering shame for the Name. They rejoiced because they were counted worthy of being inducted into the fellowship of suffering with Christ Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we would not choose suffering, but Lord help us not to turn from it when it involves the Name of Jesus. Empower us to speak and teach in His Name, saying the Name over all things and declaring the only Name by which people may be saved. Strengthen us to live until our last breath with Jesus in our hearts and on our lips. In His name we pray, amen.