Being worthy in our culture usually means that a person has achieved something, surpassed a goal, or accomplished a task. As a reward, the achieving person is considered to be worthy for whatever reward is given. The minimum requirements have been met. Therefore, the person receives the gift as a way to recognize their accomplishment.
So, Luke tells us that after the apostles had been flogged, they went away, “…rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41, NIV). Worthy of suffering.
The points we make today are so important to us today.
- God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is Worthy.
- We are not worthy.
- Christ has made us worthy by taking our place.
- We are now worthy because of what Christ has done for us.
To be counted worthy to suffer is only acknowledging that the apostles were made worthy by the blood of Christ. Therefore, they are already made worthy. Because of this, they are able to share in the honor of suffering in a way that He suffered for them.
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.“
-Philippians 3:10