03/23/2021
When Christians are afflicted in this life the unbelievers say “Look, there can be no Jesus or God in them because they suffer the same as we do!”, but they say this because they don’t understand why Jesus suffered and died for them, and that we are his disciples who have picked up our crosses and now follow after Him... even unto death. What we should show the world is not a glorious life of ease, but a life in which we might suffer, yet still love them, even as our Lord loves us all.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV
In our present earthly life, and faith, we are not promised plush lives of perfect health, flowing with riches, or to be comforted in every way. No, that is our reward in heaven where every tear will be dried, and all things will be new. For now, we are to experience hardships of the flesh similar to those of every other man, but with a heart, and faith, like that of Jesus. The cross of crucifixion, although an instrument of pain and suffering, has ceased to be a burden to us, and is a symbol of the love, and glory of God. It shows the victory of our faith over sin, suffering, and death, and demonstrates the degree to which God will go to reconcile the world to Himself. It is our bridge to an eternity in heaven, and the life we have always wanted with Him.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””
Revelation 21:4-5 ESV
The apostles all suffered to deliver the gospel to the world, and each one of them, except for John, died a horrific death at the hands of unbelievers, but not a single one of their lives was in vain, nor any pain they endured was for naught. The fact that the people of the world hated them was not a failure of faith, because they also hated Jesus, yet even at the height of their extreme hatred Jesus prayed that God would forgive them, and in this way He showed them the power of God’s love for them.
““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.”
John 15:18-19 ESV
So we will suffer on the cross like any man would suffer it, we will sweat and toss in fevers like anyone who is ill, and our earthly bodies will die like the world dies every day, but our faith will endure, and in the midst of our travail, our spirits will reveal God to those whose eyes will see; they will witness in us the amazing love and glory of God.
“When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!””
Matthew 27:54 ESV
We are the sons and daughters of God, and the world will see Him through us. They will witness our suffering and say “Look, they suffer just as we do!”, but they will also see our faith, and through this, hope will overcome their hopelessness, and the emptiness of their worldly lives will be filled with love. Jesus demonstrated for us how a man should live and die, even in the most extreme manifestations of worldly life and death, and this is how we should continue to stand before the world today... humbled, and yet undefeated; suffering, and yet soothed by our faith.
“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:2-5 ESV
So if we came to the cross of Jesus expecting an easy life, then we were mistaken, but if we came with the full knowledge that we would experience all the pains and heartbreak of life, and yet lead many to faith by exercising our belief before them, then we understand what it means to pick up our own cross, and to follow after Jesus. Are we ready to give hope to the hopeless, and to fill the hearts of the heartless with the love of God? If so, then let’s quit fretting over our everyday life, and look beyond the temporary death of the world to the eternity that we desire to spend with our Heavenly Father, and show the world what God truly promised through Jesus.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who showed us through His life, suffering, death, and resurrection that you have understood our sinfulness, hopelessness, emptiness, and the need we have for your presence in our lives. Thank you Lord for your mercy and forgiveness that was manifest on the cross at Calvary. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose grace is extended to all the world, even those who choose not to claim it for themselves. Praised be your name Lord as we suffer in our lives, and yet still feel your presence, and the strength you give us in our faith. We find joy in our moments of hardship and worship you in times of mourning, because we know what lies ahead... the promise of eternity with you, your gentle hand that dries our tears, and your radiant glory that will heal every ill that we once endured. All glory is yours Father, and we ask that you show the world what awaits us with you, and your glorious love, through the faith we demonstrate in the worst moments of life on earth. Wash us clean of sin with the blood of Jesus, hear us as we pray for the forgiveness of lost souls, and let us shout out in joy as we hear those who were once lost when they say “ Truly this is a son of God.” at the moment when they find hope in witnessing you in our lives of faith.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:14-15 ESV
Rich Forbes