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PHYSICAL PERSECUTION
LORD’S DAY, FEBRUARY 21
Acts 16:19-24

Luke 22:63-65

 

“…when they had blindfolded him,

they struck him on the face…”

 

PHYSICAL PERSECUTION
 
We have learned that serving in the missions field is entering enemy’s territory. We must therefore be ready to face not only spiritual dangers but real, actual, physical attacks. It is not a holiday, unlike how some churches would lure our young people to go to the missions field with touristy and scenic places highlighted rather than evangelism. As a result, our missions trips today are nothing but tours and sight-seeings.
 
Beaten with many stripes: Satan was angered having been thwarted in his plan using the woman with the spirit of divination. Paul was arrested and others were brought to court being falsely accused. They were accused of disturbing the city, throwing the people into confusion and causing chaos. Without proper trial the city leaders of Philippi commanded the people to beat them. This is the punishment by scourging. The Jews had a limit of forty stripes upon a man, but the Romans did not have such a law. The stripes were wounds caused by a whip-like instrument that lashed the body of the persecuted.
 
Bound in an inner prison: They were thrown into prison without any just and fair trial. A special charge was left to the jailor to guard them securely. So, the jailor put them into the inner prison and had their feet fastened to the stocks. In such an incarceration, no man could escape. Such an ordeal was most undeserving for people who brought nothing but good news to the people. Yet, the Lord allowed this. Thus we learn that our sole comfort is not in this world, but in the world to come.
 
As our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ experienced such a terrible and violent persecution on the cross, so also must His followers. Any sacrifices on our part will not pay for any bit of our sins. Yet, any of our pains or anguish must remind us of the immeasurable sufferings our Saviour went through to deliver us out of condemnation. Being reminded of such sorrows and travails, our love and devotion to our Saviour and Lord must increase. Do we shun such terrible situations in life?
 
THOUGHT: Am I prepared to suffer for my Lord?

PRAYER: Father, I look forward to Thy promise of eternal life.

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