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For more than a decade, a radical Hindu group has been persecuting Christians in India, aiming to destroy the church there. Its members target poor believers and threaten them with the loss of their homes if they do not convert to Hinduism. Visits and leaflets are followed by warnings of violence and death. The group calls its campaign “homecoming” and holds reconversion ceremonies at which people burn their Bibles and vow to pray only to Hindu gods. Last year it claimed to have converted 50,000 Christians in the state of Uttar Pradesh alone and plans to push out all pastors there within the next five years.
Keeping the faith in the midst of persecution is a formidable challenge. Even in the midst of suffering, however, believers can experience joy as a gift from the Holy Spirit. Today’s reading is from Paul’s first missionary journey. He and Barnabas had stopped at Pisidian Antioch, a Roman colony and crossroads city. He preached an evangelistic sermon at the local synagogue, and the results were positive. Many were interested in discussing the gospel, and Paul was invited to preach again the following week. Paul’s desire was for the Jews to know that their Messiah had come (v. 43).
By the next week, however, the Jews felt such hatred for Paul that they drove him out of the city as a heretic. What had changed? The missionaries had shared the good news of Jesus with the Gentiles as well. Many were attracted to the gospel, and the Jews felt jealous. Just as the Pharisees condemned Jesus for associating with tax collectors and prostitutes, so these Jews abused Paul and opposed his message. This attitude prompted him to point out that God loved the Gentiles as well, as Scripture itself made clear (vv. 46–48). When push came to shove and Paul and Barnabas were sent on their way, they were “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” because the word of the Lord was taking root in new soil (v. 52).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In our hands, verse 52 might read differently. The two missionaries were exhausted, no doubt; faithful, definitely; courageous, certainly. Those qualities are easy to see. But “filled with joy”? What an unexpected phrase! Of course they didn’t like being persecuted, but there was no greater joy than the spread of the gospel and the gift of life to those who were spiritually dead. The world does not understand our joy. Our joy is not a natural response to circumstances but rather a supernatural celebration of God’s work.
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