March 14: THE NAME OF ROYALTY

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:14

The One who leads [you and] me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3) is the very One who willingly suffered and died the death that we deserved in order to make life everlasting a reality for all who come to Him. To bear the name of Christ is the greatest privilege afforded in this world, even if you are reproached for the name of Christ. Sometimes we do not realize our blessings. The explosion of the gospel message onto the Gentile scene made many wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15) who were hearing this Good News for the first time.

Paul spent a year in Antioch with the new church there. It was an exciting time. The preaching, teaching, and conversation there were all centered upon the risen Christ. The disciples looked back with fervent joy upon the time that they had spent with Him. Having been in His personal presence, the subject of the Lord fueled their animated talks about His sublime teachings and the miraculous healings that He wrought. With shaking voices and many tears, they spoke of His agony and betrayal. They talked of the sham trials, one after another, that He had endured with forbearance and humility. The mockery and torture that He experienced was painful to discuss. The treatment by His enemies cannot be separated from the amazing pity with which He prayed for His persecutors. Then came the subject of His resurrection and His heavenly ministry as the Mediator for fallen man. Dwelling upon this subject was a joy. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). It may be that the doubting heathens gave them this name derogatorily, since Christ was the subject of every exchange. But the term Christian was joyfully accepted. In retrospect, it is believed that God was behind the giving of this name. It is the name of royalty, given to all who choose to join themselves with Christ.

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, written from prison, he mentioned his experience at Antioch. Timothy was a young pastor who needed encouragement to persevere. Paul knew that false teachers would come into the church, bringing false teachings that would turn people aside to fables (2 Timothy 4:4). Timothy was in the first generation raised since Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection. “…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 1 Peter 4:16