Ewald Schmidt

“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:33-34

The Emperor of Rome persecuted believers because they would not honour him as a god. Persecution started by the removal of the privileges of being a Roman citizen. Christians could not rely on the protection of the Roman armed forces. Their freedom of movement through the Empire was curtailed. They could not be economically active, which is bad, because they could not buy or sell anything. Not even a loaf of bread. It must have been hard, being treated like a despised criminal, while all you desired was to love God and your neighbour as yourself. Persecution for our faith may not be as radical where we live. But all believers have experienced it in some form, through friends and family questioning beliefs and moral values. In some parts of the world, Christians still get taken before worldly courts, suffering and even dying for their faith today. Human courts can judge us, can send us to prison if our faith becomes a crime. Then we should remember – God has already set us free (Romans 8:1).

We might be citizens of a country of this world. But we are God’s children. We are citizens of the kingdom of God.  We have been bought by Jesus, who died for us on the cross at Calvary. He is not a dead prophet from long ago. Jesus has risen from the dead, breaking the power and hold of death over us. He has ascended to heaven, opening a new path for believers to our Father’s house. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God, the position of glory and honour he deserves. He has not forgotten us!  Remember this when life gets hard. At this moment, Jesus is praying for you at his Father’s throne. He is praying for the courage we need to endure the suffering, for us to boldly keep on walking our journey through the power of the Spirit. Jesus prays for us, that we may hold out until the end of this journey, to reach our destination.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your amazing love. Thank you for the cross on Calvary, where you have paid for me. Thank you for the empty tomb – death has been conquered! Thank you for ascending to heaven, breaking open a new path that I may follow. And thank you for praying for me before the throne of God, I really need it every day. Thank you Jesus! Amen.