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RELIGIOUS INSECURITY (ACTS 19:23-41)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is Religious Insecurity. Religious insecurity is the demonstration of anxiety, uncertainty, and lack of confidence by religious practitioners when their object of worship has been threatened or rendered powerless. We shall reflect on the fact that Christians have been victims of other people’s religious insecurity.

Beloved in the Lord, the coming of Christ into the world and the preaching of the Gospel has caused so much religious insecurity and anxiety among the ardent practitioners of other religions. In Today’s Scripture reading, we see an expression of religious insecurity among the pagan worshippers of Ephesus led by a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis. Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, transitions, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity. She played an important role in the life of the Ephesians. We were told “He (Demetrius) called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” 28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar.” (Acts 19:25-29) In other words, the preaching of the Gospel by Paul had caused great anxiety and religious anxiety among the pagan worshippers of Ephesians.

Beloved in the Lord, the consequences of religious insecurity are religious violence, discrimination and persecution of those perceived to be the cause or source of religious security. Christianity has been and continues to be the cause and source of religious insecurity among many practitioners of other religions. It was, for this reason, we were told, The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. (Acts 19:29-31) It took the intervention of the city Clerk of Ephesus to remind the Demetrius and the agitated worshippers of Artemis of their unlaw assembly before the assembly was dismissed (Act 19:35-41) Beloved in the Lord, Jesus, our Master and Saviour was a victim and cause of religious insecurity among the practitioner of Judaism. They tortured and had him crucified but on the third day, He resurrected from the dead. At the time of His death, his followers and believers must have experienced religious insecurity but when He rose from the dead, their faith was made alive and hope rekindled. It is for this reason Paul wrote “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11). Dear friend, we should not expect to be loved and welcomed even as we preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus at all places. The preaching of the Gospel is the cause of other people’s religious insecurity. We must remain resolute and always remember our call when Jesus said ““Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

In the Twenty-first century, many Christians and missionaries among religious pluralistic societies or environments continue to be persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. In places where other religions are dominant, Christians are hated and persecuted for preaching the Gospel. It is important to note that as long as we continue to preach the Gospel, religious insecurity and persecution of Christians will not end until Jesus comes the second time. It is, for this reason, Jesus assured us ““Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12). Let us not be afraid but continue to preach the Gospel without forcing it on others or breaking the laws of the nations we reside in. Let us obey the great commission and have the courage that Jesus is always with us through thick and thin for He said “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). Paul and other Apostles obeyed this instruction, although they were persecuted, the Lord was with them. He is also with us and will lead us in fulfilling His mission irrespective of persecutions borne out of religious insecurity.

In summary, we have discovered that Christians have been victims of other people’s religious insecurity. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to endure the persecution and suffering that may come our way as a result of other people’s religious insecurity. Amen.