I have been stopped for a text in the book of Acts the last couple weeks. It reads like this: "They (the apostles ed.) then left the council hall, happy because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored for the name of Jesus." (Acts 5:41)
The Jewish council has arrested the apostles for telling people about Jesus left and right in Jerusalem. The case ends with the apostles being flogged - but they don't care. In fact, they're just happy about it, because they've been flogged for the name of Jesus. The apostles wore their persecution as a badge of honor, and so do many persecuted Christians in 2019. Persecution is not something they seek out and strive for, but they know it befalls those who follow Jesus.
WE regularly receive reports from Danish European Mission contacts in the Middle East and Central Asia. They tell of Christians under pressure, arrested, prosecuted or whose churches are closed. It's hard reading when Christian brothers and sisters are imprisoned for their faith. But it is also encouraging to read that in their prayer requests, they often also ask for intercession for the government and for their non-believing friends, family and countrymen to meet Jesus. Persecution is a fact of life, and Christians pray that it will be used to reach more people with the Gospel.
In Danmark it can be difficult to wear persecution as a badge of honor, but perhaps we need to get better at seeing persecution as a condition and not something we should fight to avoid at all costs.
The fear of persecution should certainly not stop us from telling people about Jesus. Because people need the gospel - and persecution is a price worth paying in the short term.
At Danish European Mission, we want to share all that the persecuted church can teach Christian Danes. Therefore, every two weeks we will write a short blog post about a Christian point that can inspire, encourage and challenge you. This week's post is written by Manfred, who is a development consultant at the Danish European Mission.
