Years ago I had an opportunity of going on a mission trip to an underdeveloped country, where a young female missionary invited us to stay at her house for couples of times sharing her work and mission with us. Later our team leader told us that both that missionary and her sister were from Singapore coming all the way to this country working with the local farmers, teaching them how to farm the land and spreading the good news. They could have had good jobs in their country, got married and enjoyed a good quality of life in their own country, but they suffered for the sake of the good news.

This story is a good reminder of how Peter and the apostles suffered for the name of Jesus in Acts 5. When the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they’re strengthened by the Spirit and thus started performing many miraculous signs and wonders as well as proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ. But before long they were arrested and put in jail by the leading priests, religious teachers and temple guards, for the apostles were thought as nothing more than illiterate, uneducated fishermen. They warned the apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus. However, Peter and the apostles replied to them, “We must obey God rather than human authority. Later the apostles were given a thorough whipping and sent off. The apostles left rejoicing that they’re counted to be worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus (v. 41).

Were the apostles out of their mind as they were put in jail, beaten to death and they rejoiced in suffering for Christ? Many of us view suffering, perhaps, as a curse from God, but the apostles embraced suffering, seeing it as the grace or maybe blessing from God. Next time when you go through trials or tribulations for the name of Christ, think of it as a rich blessing from God.