When Evil Things Happen

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. 4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. (Acts 8:1-4 NLT)

Jesus had told his followers, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all kinds of people.” In fact, Jesus specifically mentioned Judea and Samaria as the first places to take the Gospel Message beyond Jerusalem (Acts 1:8 NLT)… “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

A new character enters the story! In the account of the stoning of Stephen, the “official witnesses” to Stephen’s crime of blasphemy had Saul of Tarsus watch over their coats as they did the sweaty work of stoning an innocent man to death. Saul not only agreed with their sin, he was stirred to evil action himself and became the most active persecutor of the believers, even dragging them from their homes.

The believers in Jerusalem quickly began to fear Saul of Tarsus, and the news of his violent persecution of Jesus followers quickly spread. But they didn’t hate him, they prayed for him as Jesus had told them to “pray for your enemies”. And I don’t know what they prayed for God to do about Saul. Would I have prayed for a quick and painful death to befall him?

Jesus said to pray for our enemies and to forgive our enemies. Think of someone who is your enemy. What do we ask God to do to or for them? And another big question, friends! Did God cause the persecution that scattered the believers, or did God allow the persecution? Do you wrestle with the “God Causes/God Allows” question? What have you found helpful as you deal with this issue?

Prayer:

Father, It’s hard to read about and think about the evil things that Jesus suffered for us. And it’s hard to think about the evil things that Stephen and the believers suffered for Jesus and so that the message of the Kingdom could be spread—eventually to us. Thank you for their faithfulness, the grace of your Spirit, and their courage. Help us to be faithful witnesses. For Jesus’ Sake!