Imprisoned and Beaten for the Lord!

Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, ¹⁸ and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” (Acts 5:17-19)

Imprisoned for the Lord!  Would I be willing to be imprisoned for my faith? Have I ever been so obedient as to find myself under scrutiny? Have you ever asked this of yourself? Why not?

The high priest was filled with indignation. I am sure it was a righteous indignation he felt, but this is only due to his being convinced that he was the authority, and had commanded them ‘not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus’ (Acts 4:18).

Yet the highest authority – God – had not even been considered by this high priest. So in his indignation he arrests them and puts them in the common prison.

Let us remember that those in high places may not have yet have been humbled by the mighty hand of our God. And though we are mistreated or unrighteously held – the true authority could, as he did in verses 19-20, release us at will.  (Cf. Dan. 3:16-18)

We should not take personally the mistreatment of those of the world – but considering where we were before and apart from Christ, be tender hearted. If it is a great burden to bear – let us remember the Lord Jesus Christ bore a greater burden for us, and he did this while we were in rebellion (Rom. 5:8)

“And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:40-42)

Beaten, but they rejoiced!  Upon Gamaliel’s advice they had them beaten and threatened them once again. Yet they considered it a blessing to be counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. In this politicized polemical world – far too many live in the pride of ego and argumentation. How can a man whose value is from his ego or his great ability to debate rejoice when he is beaten? He cannot! He fires back again and again. What did the apostles do? They did not argue – they obeyed the teaching received – they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Ultimately man can do only so much to us. We read in Luke 12:4-5 that ‘we ought to fear him who has the power, after he has killed to cast into hell – Fear Him!’

The patience of our God is all too often mistaken for approval of sin or apathy for it. Yet God does not approve of or ignore sin! One look at the cross and we see the Savior of the world was cursed for our sins (Isa. 53:5).  
My Friends – if God is willing to punish sin on the cross of shame, even to his own son – this tells us how much he hates it. Sin is so bad!!! But God demonstrates not only his love for us in the cross (Rom. 5:8) but also his justice for our sin!

We ought to be willing to be beaten and suffer loss for our faith in Christ to save… but are we? In addition – is our willingness due to love for the savior or because we seek to bribe God with a ‘good deed’? Love must be our highest motive!!!

Amen