How to Handle Affliction and SufferingSample

When Christians are persecuted for their faith, this touches Jesus Himself

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5)

Before the apostle Paul came to faith in Jesus, he was persecuting Christians. One day when he was on his way to arrest believers, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shined around him and he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” When Paul asked who this person was, the answer was: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. Of course, Paul had not literally taken Jesus prisoner or killed Him. He did this to Christians, not to Christ! But to Jesus, this basically is the same. He is like a father who is touched deeply when his children are attacked. When believers are persecuted, Jesus says He is being persecuted Himself.

In Matthew 25, Jesus says that any good things we do for any of his people, we also do for Him. Anything we refuse to do for any of his people, we refuse to do for Him — like giving the hungry something to eat and visiting the sick and imprisoned.

If you are treated badly, be assured that this does not leave Jesus out in the cold. He sees what you are going through, and He cares!