Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” is attributed to Tertullian, from the second and third centuries A.D. He did much to assure Latin readers that Christians were not, in fact, sacrificing children and eating them at the Lord’s Supper remembrances, which was one justification Rome used for executing Christians. Long before this time, however, Jesus promised that persecution would be a way of life for His followers. He Himself walked the blood-stained path of the Kingdom, and He assured His disciples that taking up their cross and following Him was the only way into the Kingdom.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:38-39
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matthew 16:24-27
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-27
Acts 7 records the first martyr for the faith after Jesus’ death. Just a few chapters preceding Stephen’s stoning, in Acts 4, the followers of Jesus had gathered together to pray. Their prayer did not ask for relief from the persecution of the Jewish rulers trying to silence the truth of the Gospel. Instead, they asked for boldness to speak God’s Word.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, Acts 4:29
Just two short verses later, their prayers were answered. God filled them with His Spirit and granted them boldness.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31
This boldness brought thousands to Christ, but it also increased the disciples’ danger with the Jewish leaders. Stephen, a man filled with the Spirit, preached a powerful sermon to the High Priest who had given Jesus over to be crucified, as well as those who ruled with him. His concluding statement outraged them and led to his stoning.
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. Acts 7:51-54
Stephen’s death was observed by a young man named Saul, who at the time was zealous to rid Jerusalem and the surrounding areas of anyone who would proclaim the name of Jesus as the Messiah. As Stephen died, he prayed that God would not lay his murder to their charge. Soon, Saul would encounter Jesus on the road to Damascus and be miraculously saved. Jesus changed Saul’s name to Paul and tasked him with the ministry to the Gentiles. A quarter of the New Testament is attributed to Paul, as he still teaches believers today how to live as a Christian.
This is the power of the blood-stained path to the Kingdom. Peacemaking is dangerous work, and yet, it is what every Christian is called to do. Too often, believers pray to be spared from difficulty, and yet Jesus calls for surrender to His higher ways and purposes. When Charlie Kirk was murdered last year, many Christians, including myself, were left reeling in fear and outrage. God, however, was not outraged, nor was He afraid. His path has always promised persecution, and yet, out of what is buried will spring an abundant harvest. It is time for the followers of Jesus to stop praying for easier lives and start praying for Holy Ghost boldness in the face of danger. I hope this lesson is as convicting and challenging for you as it has been for me.
Below, you will find the download for this lesson’s study questions as well as the answers from weeks 7 and 8. Have a blessed weekend!
His Song in the Night 