Spectacle

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.
1 Corinthians 4:9 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.4.9.ESV

The title of 'apostle' nowadays is like a badge of honour. Not in Bible days. After all, it simply means 'messenger' or 'sent one'.

The Biblical apostles were marked men, brutally persecuted by the Roman Empire. They felt like men sentenced to death. Tradition suggests that most of them were literally sentenced to death too.

The apostles were a spectacle to the world. They were prepared to be reviled and persecuted for the sake of Christ. They got beaten up, imprisoned, flogged and shipwrecked; among other things.

Not only people looking on will have marvelled at what the apostles went through. Even angels marvelled at what they had to endure. Of course, it's all worth it for the sake of Christ, who gave everything for us.

'Father God, please help us to be prepared to go through whatever we must to make You known. Thank You for being worth whatever we might go through, for the glory that is to come, in Jesus' name, amen'
 

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