Acts 5:40‭-‬42 ..And when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

The name JESUS CHRIST is the most hated name in the world and yet it’s also the most loved name. Men hate it so much so as to kill and torture because of it – and still others love and revere the name so much that they will gladly die for it.

How can a name be so hated and still be so loved at the same time? How?

A little peep into history will reveal how many wars and persecutions and atrocities have been waged on believers all over the world because of their profession of that name, Jesus. In the passage above, the disciples of Jesus were flogged for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. And after the beating, they were commanded not to ever speak the name again. Ohhh, but I love their response:

THEY DEPARTED WITH DANCING, AND SINGING, AND REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME FOR THE NAME. AND GUESS WHAT, THEY PREACHED THE NAME JESUS IN THE TEMPLE AND IN EVERY HOUSE DAILY. Wow!

What is your own reaction to the name Jesus? Does the name ellicit disgust and anger from you? Or does it bring smile and joy? Are you proud of the name? Or are you not? Do you know that there are Christians who when they get to certain places, are ashamed of the name Jesus, and don’t want to be known as believers of Jesus? Are you one of those? Or you are so proud of the name JESUS and will speak Jesus anywhere. Go ahead, why don’t you tell someone about Jesus today? May your week be truly glorious in Jesus name. Amen!

                 GRACEFUL MORNING