But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” - Acts 9:15-16, ESV
Does Faithful Ministry Always Involve Suffering?
Ananias was afraid, and he had good reason to be. Saul had earned a vicious reputation among the Christians as a determined and ruthless opponent. Now he had come into Damascus, and Ananias didn't know what to expect. Rumors were probably circulating, fueling wild speculation. So when Jesus came to Ananias in a vision and told him to go and find Saul of Tarsus, he was very anxious.
The words Jesus used to reassure Ananias were interesting. Jesus didn't say, "Oh, you don't have any reason to be anxious, Ananias. Saul is a Christian now." No, instead Jesus referred to Saul as "a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name." The emphasis is not on how Saul has come to faith in Jesus, but on how Jesus has chosen Saul to be His own instrument, His own apostle.
Saul himself would certainly suffer. As the Apostle Paul, he would recount his sufferings years later: "Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea . . ." (2 Cor. 11:24-25) The experiences of the other apostles of the Lord were not much different. Peter would end his life crucified upside-down for the name of Jesus. James would be run through with a sword. Andrew would be crucified on a cross shaped like an X. Thomas would travel all the way to India, where he would be killed for the sake of Jesus' name.
Of course, not everyone is called to suffer the way the apostles did. But we must never forget that we serve a crucified Savior who calls all of His disciples to take up their cross daily and follow Him. We cannot ever take His name to the world without opposition, rejection, heartache, loss and pain. Christianity is always faithfully advanced in the shadow of the cross.
Lord, give us willing hearts to follow Jesus, whatever it may cost. Give us loving hearts to carry His name, no matter what suffering that name may bring. May we embrace the suffering and so enter into Your glory. Just as Paul took food and was strengthened before he entered into ministry, so let us feast on Your word and be strengthened by Your Spirit to minister to others in Your name. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Prayer Based on Proverbs 12:1-9:
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Father, give us teachable hearts,
that we may love even Your rebuke as You teach us wisdom.
A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
Father, keep us from every evil device,
and give us sincere hearts for Your good.
No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
Father, wickedness is all around us and calls to our hearts,
but You have grounded us in Jesus, our rightousness and our wisdom.
Because of Jesus, we trust that we will never be moved.
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Father, thank You for good spouses, who love You and help us love You.
Give us the grace to bless our spouses in Your name.
The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
Lord, let our thoughts be Your thoughts, shaped by Your word and Spirit,
and then they shall be righteous and just, as You are.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
Lord, may our words be seasoned with grace,
and may we speak what You give us to say.
The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.
Father, by Your saving grace alone we stand.
A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is despised.
Lord, Your Spirit is the teacher who gives us good sense and a sound mind,
so teach us and lead us according to Your own wisdom and not our foolishness.
Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
Father, may we never think of ourselves more highly than we ought,
but always be willing to serve and love those in need.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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