There is something wrong with this picture. They had just been thrashed
with whips. There is no reason to think the beatings were gentle and
restrained. Skilled men with bulging biceps and powerful arms whistled
the whip through the air and it came down hard upon the backs of the
apostles. With threatening voices they charged them to never mention
the Name of Jesus again and then sent them away.

But look
closely at the christian men as they leave. Look at Peter’s face. Isn’t
that the smile of peaceful contentment – not bitter defiance? Isn’t
there a gleam in his eye? Isn’t there a bit of a bounce in his step?
How could they whistle or hum that tune – or maybe they were singing.
Deep within their hearts they were full of gladness. They were
rejoicing.

“Excuse me sirs! Your backs are inflamed. You are
covered with bruises and plastered with hot red streaks? Why do you
look so happy?”

“And they departed
from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin), rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Acts 5:41.
It is called an oxymoron – a pointedly foolish saying. Something that
conflicts, contradicts and doesn’t make sense. i.e. sweet bitterness or
laboriously idle. Here the oxymoron is: honored to be dishonored. Or
dignified by indignity. These christians were thrilled to think they
were linked to Christ and could suffer shame for His Name.

Peterson
paraphrases Peter’s letter of encouragement to believers like this: “If
you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the
Spirit of God and His glory in you that brought you to the notice of
others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the
peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a
christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the
distinguished status reflected in that name!” (1Peter 4:14-16) In other
words, you are doing your job as a christian; you are letting your
light shine for Christ.

If you aren’t invited to their
weekend party; or if they’re whispering or snickering in a corner; or
if they don’t ask you to autograph their yearbook; or if they don’t
include you in their huddle as they tell a dirty joke or call you over
to look at some porn on the computer ….. dear believer, it’s because
you have been faithful to Christ – shame for His Name. Sneak away to a
quiet place – shed a few tears and thank the Lord that He ever saved
you. Tell Him from your heart how thankful you are for the shame, the
humiliation and the reproach that He endured. Ask Him for strength and
courage to remain faithful and true to Christ.

Christ…”who
did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth; who, when He was
reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but
committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: who His own self
bare our sins in His own body on the tree…” 1 Peter 2:22-24