January 18, 2023 -- Acts 6:8-15 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Jesus and Suffering
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And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Acts 6:8-15 ESV
Stephen, newly chosen with six others as a leader in the church, very soon after his appointment faced strong persecution. It is exactly what Jesus foretold. “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:20 ESV). Those who hear you speak about Jesus, or see you living for Him with boldness and joy, will respond. Either you will be loved because those who meet you encounter Jesus and their souls rejoice in Christ; or the people will hate you on account of Jesus.
Stephen’s reaction to this? His face was like the face of an angel. Why is that? The clue is found one chapter earlier. Peter and John, Stephen’s mentors and examples, after being in jail and beaten “left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name” (Acts 5:41 ESV). Jesus’ Name and His followers dedication to Him is so great that they are willing to suffer for His Name so that the Gospel is not compromised, so that the depths of their dedication to Him is proved and those who are being drawn to Jesus see that He is the One Person above all others Who is worthy of all effort, zeal and dedication.
The followers of Jesus are sinners who have had their sins forgiven. The followers of Jesus were (and still are today) men and women who are counted as nothing in the eyes of the world. However, their Savior has shown them the love of the Father in heaven. In the eyes of the Father, we as His children, have inestimable worth. The Father and the Son give to believers the Holy Spirit Who strengths the bond between Jesus and the believer. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to abandon all the things in life that used to be prized and now cling to Jesus as the soul’s great prize. The Holy Spirit gives a zeal so that all things suffered for the Name of Jesus are evidence the Father counts us His worthy children. Finally, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers know all suffering is totally meaningful. By it believers are purified. By suffering believers realize Jesus is more to be prized than gold or silver. By it souls are won for the glory and radiance of Jesus, which makes the suffering even more meaningful and beautiful.
Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Even making that request in prayer I know I am setting myself apart from most people that are in my life right now—they do not seek to honour or bless Your Name. Therefore, in view of the beautiful work of Jesus Christ, and by the power of Your Spirit, help me to stay faithful to You. Triune God, help me to fight the internal battle against sins that should be hated, but to my shame are often, secretly, cherished. Mighty God of glory and excellence, let all the things of this world be counted as worthless in view of the excellence and beauty of Jesus. Trine God, help me to fight the battle against the world and the devil. When the suffering comes, may I, as saints of old, rejoice that I am counted worthy to suffer for Your Name. Amen.
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