10/22/2020
Are we looked down on, or ridiculed for the devout manner in which we pursue our faith? Do we live in an area of the world where those of another faith seek to harm us, or destroy our homes and places of worship? Well, receiving death threats, and being persecuted for our faith, is nothing new. As we face such hardships we must strengthen ourselves by remembering how Jesus endured greater suffering than this for us.
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Hebrews 12:3 ESV
When being confronted by intense persecution, some people will be overcome by their suffering, and yield to it, while a few will abandon their faith altogether. I have even heard the excuse “Well, he was God, and I am just a man!” as someone makes excuses for their capitulation, but Jesus was not simply a spirit... or God... He was man in every way. His tears were as salty as ours, and His blood just as red. When He drank wine it was sweet on His tongue, and the touch of His mother’s hand just as comforting. Listen to this scripture regarding His intercession for us, and realize it isn’t Jesus the God that mediates for us... it is Jesus the man; Jesus our Suffering Savior.
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”
1 Timothy 2:5 ESV
So do we suffer? Yes we will all suffer, whether in small, or large fashion, and some of us will endure horrific suffering. Are we put to death because we believe? Yes, we are all meant to die, but many who are martyred are not killed mercifully; they are tortured, beheaded, burned, crucified upside down, and sawed in half. So how is it that some can remain faithful when facing such inhuman atrocities, and others turn away, or go into hiding? There is one word for such resolve... faith... and one means of building it in the face of unimaginable torment... focusing on the Passion of Christ, and picking up our own cross as we follow Him. Let’s listen to these words that Jesus spoke as we consider our own suffering today...
““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.”
John 15:18-21 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for helping us in our faith, and giving us bodily strength, firmness of mental faculties, and emotional resolve, as we face suffering and death for believing in you, and your Son Jesus. Thank you Lord for your promise of eternal life and joy that is multiplied for the martyrs. Thank you for drying our tears and raising us up with Jesus to stand before you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who rewards those of faith, and will turn away from the unrighteous, and unfaithful, on the day of judgement. Praised be your name for allowing Jesus, the man, to intercede for us, because who knows our suffering better than He who has suffered so greatly. Merciful are you our God, who lifts so many of us from our suffering, and mysterious, and beyond our understanding, are the deaths of the martyrs who you allow to follow Jesus onto Calvary. Strengthen us in your Word Father, and wash us clean of our sins with the blood of your Son Jesus. Make us worthy in Him to stand before you, and let our suffering receive your mention as we are introduced before the heavenly host! Short is our suffering, and long your mercy and grace, as we take our seats at your table forevermore.
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”
Hebrews 11:32-40 ESV
Rich Forbes