Daily Devotional – Thursday, April 20, 2023
Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:7 (NKJV)
One of my friends was born again when he was in prison. He tells me he was one of the fiercest opponents of the faith for a very long time. Ironically, when he accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, prison authorities persecuted him for demanding freedom of worship. This unlikely convert became the fiercest defender of the faith in jail.
Opponents of the Faith
His story mirrors that of the priests in the days of Jesus. Alongside the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees, priests viewed Jesus as a disruptive force that went against scripture. This Rabbi from Nazareth had created a new sect, hence shifting the centre of religious power in Judea. In addition, if the colonizing Romans perceived Jesus to be a threat, the whole Jewish nation could suffer.
Hence, the priests were at the forefront, disrupting Jesus from spreading the gospel. Indeed, Caiaphas, the high priest, was a key player in the condemnation of Jesus and the Lord’s death on the cross. In addition, after Christ’s death, the priests continued their pursuit of the disciples, committing many to jail and killing others.
The Unlikely Converts
Did God give up on the priests? No. According to Luke, “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). Many priests, even as they opposed Jesus openly, secretly admired His teachings and knew He was the Messiah.
These unlikely converts reached a point where they could no longer pretend. The Holy Spirit pursued them relentlessly until they surrendered to Jesus. Today, think about the people who openly hate and despise Jesus and the church. Do not relent in preaching to and praying for them. Let their hostility not scare you off. As long as God is speaking to them, they may soon become the pillars of the faith and your church. It is not over yet for them.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me courage to preach to those who oppose you and to pray for their conversion.
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