2 Corinthians 4:11

2 Corinthians 4:11: “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

One of the stranger heroes in the DC comics universe was a character named Deadman. Deadman was the stage name of a talented circus acrobat named Boston Brand; the name came from the garish white skull makeup and red leotard suit he wore, always teasing the crowds that his next performance might be his last. One night, it was; a sniper with a hook for one hand shot him while he was performing the act. He didn’t pass on though; his ghostly spirit roamed the earth with the power to “possess” other people’s bodies, all done in search of his own killer. While Deadman possessed someone, they had no knowledge of the time he was in control of their body; to all outward appearances, the person looked and talked the same, but Deadman was in control of their bodies, “living” through them temporarily while righting wrongs and looking for his killer. He actually possessed Batman on one caper, convincing the Darknight Detective of his existence so he could enlist his help.

Paul speaks here of what he and other disciples were going through, enduring hardship and physical punishment all in the name of Jesus and the mission He charged us with: to spread the Good News through all the earth. We need to let Jesus live through us, so that others may see Him. Not in the way Deadman does above, but to let Jesus direct our thoughts and actions, so that this world will truly know that we are Christians: by our walk and by our talk.

For your information, are you familiar with the phrase, “you might be the only Jesus some people see today”? Well…are you living for Jesus?

Something to think about today.

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1 Corinthians 4:11

1 Corinthians 4:11:  “To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.”

Paul above is describing what he and his fellow apostles are going through in proclaiming the faith.  Many Christians were persecuted in the days of the Roman empire, not just by the Romans, but by the religious leaders who rejected Jesus.

Well, yeah, that’s way back then…that doesn’t happen in the 21^st century now.

In the words of the stereotypical addicted gambler, “want to bet?”

Ask the Christians in northern Iraq today who are being hounded out of their homes by Islamic militants.

Ask the Christians in heavily Muslim countries who are targeted and martyred just because they are Christians.

Ask Christians in the United States:  have someone make a statement that is somewhat derogatory toward any other religion and watch the outrage and backlash on the news…let the derogatory remark be about Christians and listen to the silence or the apathy.

Persecution still happens today to Christians.  Take heart; Jesus said in Matthew 5:10-12:  “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Something to think about today.

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