Passage Read: Acts 26-27
Meditation Verse: 26:15
Thought
Paul was obsessed with stamping out the sect of the Nazarene. He imprisoned many and punished them, trying to get them to blaspheme against Jesus. And when they were condemned to death, he also cast his vote against them. All he did to these believers, he was doing against Jesus. When Jesus appeared to him, He identified Himself as "Jesus, whom you are persecuting." All Paul did to the saints, Jesus counted as against Himself. When he punished a Christian or voted for one to be put to death, he was attacking Jesus Himself. Yet Jesus chose to have mercy on him instead of destroying him. Of course, the mission Jesus had for Paul would not be easy, but Paul would be filled with gratitude and delight in the Lord for His mercy towards him, so that the hardships he suffered were as light and momentary troubles.
Application
This means that those who attack or oppose me in my service to Christ are attacking and opposing Jesus. Jesus takes that personally. Yet He is also willing for me to suffer at their hands, and more than that, He is willing to call and forgive and receive them into His family. That's a hard truth. One who tries to destroy me may become my brother and fellow servant, perhaps gaining even greater honor in Christ's kingdom because of his greater diligence and devotion to the God who forgave him! Can I rejoice if someone who once hated me repents and believes and devotes himself more fully to the Lord than I have? I am precious to the Lord, but the Lord is more precious than me! I am precious to the Lord, but proclaiming the name of the Lord farther and wider than ever before is more important than me and my life. If my suffering or death serve to advance the Gospel, then whatever I suffer is worthwhile. And I should rejoice that the Lord is glorified and more can hear of His salvation, even though it cost me everything. I should be able to rejoice that the one who once tried to hurt me is now doing great things for the Lord. I should be able to forgive and embrace such a person as surely as Jesus is able. My life and everything else isn't about me, but all about Jesus!