I remember when people used to wear those bracelets all the
time and, to tell the truth, there were a few times when I thought I really
should not be wearing this public declaration. Sometimes the promise to do that
which would be considered a good reflection of Christ was rather lacking and
the bracelet felt more like a tensor bandage biting into my wrist to remind me
to act like my Master. These were the times when I was ashamed of my actions.
There was also the time when I got not one but two photo radar tickets on the
same street at the same location about fifteen minutes apart. On the back of my
brown pony was a bright, shiny fish sticker announcing to the world that I was
a Christian. The Calgary Police service must have had a great chuckle out of
that one. The reason I talk of these incidents is because afterwards I realized
that the world was watching and I was helping to perpetuate the misconception
that all Christians don’t walk the talk.
He (Saul) fell to the
ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute
me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you
are persecuting," he replied. Acts 9:4-5
This was the moment that Saul (Paul) went from being the persecutor
to the persecuted. Saul rounded up the followers of Christ and, with letters in
hand, was involved with the identification, persecution and, in the case of
Stephen, witness to the execution of Christians.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.’ Mat 25:40 NIV
This passage can also be reversed by saying whatever you did
to the least of these my children you have also done to me. When you persecute
my people, you also do to Christ. Persecute the Christians and Jesus feels the
pain of the masses. Paul went on from
this point to know and understand the fullness of the pain of persecution yet
he became one of the most passionate messenger of the Good News.
This week we study the persecution of the church after the death
and resurrection of the Messiah. We invite you to join us either in person or
on FaceBook Live ( htttp://www.facebook.com/todd.macdonald.3158 ) at 10:30 MST
or watch the service at a later date by visiting our website and go to the Live
Stream Upload page ( www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca )
Shalom
Pastor Todd
Pastor Todd