THE SUFFERINGS OF THE APOSTLES.
By C. N. Stuttle
Shall we say that our burdens are more than we can bear, or that the way is too narrow? Do we find many thorny hedges that it seems almost impossible for us to surmount? Do we meet the scoffs of this world? Is the finger of scorn pointed at us? Do Satan’s fiery darts fall thick and fast around us? Let us remember the sufferings of the apostles. James was summoned to appear before the Sanhedrim, who required him to renounce his faith in Christ. And that he may make his renunciation in a most public manner, they carry him to the top of the temple, and threaten to throw him down if he does not comply with their request. It cannot be that his thoughts are of the danger that threatens him, or of the scoffs of his persecutors; for instead of gratifying their request we hear him exhorting others to confess Christ; upon which he was ordered to be thrown down from the place where he stood. This fall did not kill him. As he raised himself, bruised and bleeding, to his knees, he prayed God to have mercy on his persecutors; and while he was praying that they might be forgiven, they poured upon him a shower of stones. Thus died James the Just. Nor are the sufferings of Paul less worthy of notice. The Lord said he would show him what great things he must suffer for his name’s sake. Let us follow him through his life of sorrows. Does he not stand firm when brought before priests and councils? Does he complain while he receives many stripes from his persecutors? Do we hear him say the cross is more than he can bear, when before the king? When he received his sentence from Nero, he did not tremble, but triumphantly exclaimed, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” And after a solemn prayer, he gave his neck to the fatal stroke. The apostle Peter suffered death on the cross; but he did not murmur while being led to the place of execution. No; instead, we hear him begging that he might not be crucified in the same manner in which his Lord suffered, but with his head downward, feeling unworthy to meet death in the same position. This request was complied with, and he gave his life for the cause of his great Redeemer. Andrew, after being scourged in a most unmerciful manner by order of the proconsul, was led away to be crucified; and as he neared the cross he kneeled down and saluted it in words similar to the following: “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ; I therefore come joyfully and triumphantly to it, that it may receive me as a disciple and follower of Him who once hung upon it.” After praying earnestly and exhorting the people to be firm in the faith he had delivered to them, he was fastened to the cross, from which he taught and instructed the people for two whole days, after which he died. Can we not also confide in the care of the Lord? Did not the apostles trust in his promises? and are they not left for us as well? How apt are we to trust in our own strength. Let us get out of self and lean upon the arm of God, and believe that he is not man “that he should lie, neither the son of man that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” The psalmist says, “He will be our guide even unto death.” Yes; we can trust Him who gave his only begotten Son, that through him we might have eternal life. Then, though the way seems dark and dreary, though at every turn we meet foes that would lead us in the by-ways of sin and folly, though we are tempted until there seems no way of escape, we may find consolation in the promise, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” How many precious promises we find in the word of God adapted to all our wants in this life, to strengthen and encourage us. Let us, then, go forward, overcoming all our sins, fighting life’s battles cheerfully and with courage, that we may have it said to us, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” C. N. Stuttle.