Worthy of the Name

February 5 | Acts 5:40-41

Daily Bread

 “Then after summoning the apostles and beating them, they ordered them not to speak in Jesus’s Name and they released them. Then they went away rejoicing from the Sanhedrin’s presence because they were considered worthy to be disgraced for the Name” (Acts 5:40-41)

In America, we haven’t begun to imagine the kind of persecution we see around the world. We often think we are suffering, and in some ways we are. Because of our First Amendment, it is harder to persecute Christian Americans. But it’s not impossible.

People persecute us with their words and trying to silence us for biblical values. So, we do suffer persecution. But when I read about the apostles and their suffering, I hope the Lord will count me worthy of His Name.

The apostles often found themselves in contradiction to the Jewish religious authorities. They had no trouble beating them. When the apostles left their presence, they rejoiced in their suffering.

They were glad to be counted worthy of the Name of Jesus because they had suffered persecution. I asked myself if I would think of persecution as something to rejoice in. I must say my first reaction is, “No.” To be worthy is to have the worth or honor of something. May we be counted worthy of the Name of Jesus in our witness and lifestyle.

Action Step: Consider ways you suffer for Jesus. How do you rejoice in your sufferings and trials? Would Jesus count you worthy of His Name as you live for Him? How can you suffer for the Name of Jesus?

Lord Jesus, I want to be worthy of Your name. As I call myself a Christian, I want to live the life You taught and showed me. I rejoice in the sufferings and trials I face because I know I am representing You in everything I do.

Jonathan Srock

Rev. Jonathan Srock is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God since 2010. He received two Bachelor’s degrees in Biblical Languages and Pastoral Ministries, as well as a Masters of Divinity from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Jonathan was privileged to be the Lead Pastor of New Life Assembly in Shillington, PA for five years before suffering sudden paralysis in 2013. Jonathan has been a Christian since 1988.

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