July 20th, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Suffering Church

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Opening Prayer

Lord, help me to understand why the early Christians experienced suffering, and make me willing to gladly follow their example.

Read Acts 5:17-42

[17] Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. [18] They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. [19] But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. [20] “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” [21] At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin-the full assembly of the elders of Israel-and sent to the jail for the apostles. [22] But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, [23] “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” [24] On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. [25] Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” [26] At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. [27] Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. [28] “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” [29] Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! [30] The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead-whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. [31] God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. [32] We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” [33] When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. [34] But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. [35] Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. [36] Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. [37] After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. [38] Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. [39] But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” [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 Christ.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“If we know for whom and for what we are living, we are more likely to be willing to suffer and stand alone for what is right” (Serendipity Bible).

Think Further

The dramatic growth of the new community in Jerusalem brings a swift and violent reaction. Although the attempt of the religious leaders to suppress the witness of the disciples is brutal and unjust (40), it is also pathetic and futile. As William Willimon says, there is something about the gospel that “renders prison ineffective.” The persecuted Church discovered strength to persevere, both through unexpected support from within the Sanhedrin (34-39) and through the boldness and joy which made the apostles irrepressible (41,42).

Is not this picture of the suffering Church just as challenging as the depiction of the sharing Church in 4:32-37? And why is our own experience so different? For most Christians in the developed world, it is almost inconceivable that we might be regarded as dangerous subversives who need to be detained and roughed up! And should this happen, would our reaction be like that of the apostles who were glad to have been “worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (41)?

Why did the new community, so admired by “the people,” come to be loathed and feared by those who held power? The answer is that Jesus’ alternative way of living together, based on love, sharing and justice, threatened powerful leaders who benefited from the existing system. If not contained, it would bring the wrath of the Romans whose domination forms the background to these narratives. (19:40; John 11:48). Once we understand this, the apparent gulf between our world and that of the first century begins to shrink. We, too, live in a system that extends its power and influence to every part of the globe. It challenges us to recognize how the preaching of Christ, crucified and risen, impacts this world, and to recover the apostolic boldness and joy that will enable us to endure “disgrace for the Name.”

Apply

Many Christians suffer for their witness today. Pray for them and ask the Holy Spirit to grant a renewed boldness in witness to the whole Church, especially yours.

Closing prayer

Amazing, loving Lord, may Your love so possess me that whatever I do in word or deed may be done in Your strength and to Your glory.

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