Glorious, Gracious Suffering

In John 9:2 the disciples ask Jesus a question as they pass a blind beggar on the road. It’s a simple question that on the surface is a legit question.

John 9:2 ESV

2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

This is how we view suffering. What sin did I cause to deserve this punishment.

But Jesus responds with a bit of a swerve here.

John 9:3–5 ESV

3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

According to Jesus the Christ, God in the flesh, suffering is not punishment.

Paul, James, and Peter all echo this notion in their letters to churches in the New Testament.

In Acts 5 Luke records the apostles walking away and rejoicing after they were arrested and scolded by the Sanhedrin.

Acts 5:41 ESV

41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

But what about historical Christians..did they rejoice in suffering as we see the disciples in the Bible talking about?

Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John..he has a really cool and important place in Christian history. He was arrested in Rome for his faith and said this when given the chance to renounce his faith:

"Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?" - Polycarp

There is a tone of joy and satisfaction in the word of Polycarp.

You recall the story of Richard Wurmbrand last week who was in prison in the Nazi camps in World War II and in the midst of those horrible circumstances said this,

“Alone in my cell, cold, hungry, and in rags, I danced for joy every night. Sometimes I was so filled with joy that I felt I would burst if I did not give it expression.” - Richard Wurmbrand

Certainly there are others in between but the overall point here is that when our hearts and minds are properly fixed on Christ we can rightly view our sufferings as gifts from the Lord. Our suffering should be used not for our own pity party but as our megaphone used to point others to Christ.

But let’s make sure we understand tangibly what suffering for the sake of Christ is and what it is not.

Point 1: Suffering for Christ is not dealing with consequences of our sin.

1 Peter 2:20 ESV

20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

Being grounded because you talked ugly to your parents is not suffering for Jesus.

Having your phone taken away because you were looking stuff you didn’t need to look at is not suffering for Jesus.

Galatians 6:7–8 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

James 1:14–15 ESV

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

This isn’t just me saying this, you have this at multiple points in scripture. Your sin consequences, whatever they may be, is not suffering for the sake of Christ.

Point 2: Suffering for Christ can be sickness, ailments, diseases, or disasters

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Sometimes our suffering is not because we are being persecuted for sharing the Gospel. We live in a broken world with broken bodies that are betraying us and diseases and disasters happen because of that. But even still we want to give glory to God in those times and we see that here in Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians.

We don’t know what Paul’s “thorn” was. Scholars debate and discuss, one theory was that it was his vision. But whatever it may be the “suffering for Christ” themes are the same:

God gives a thorn (some form of suffering)

Paul pleads with God to free him from this (not a happy circumstance)

Beautiful v. 9 ending with a joyous boasting in God. (God gets the glory)

For Christ we suffer (literally almost the exact same thing he says in Phil.)

Point 3: Suffering for Christ can be injustices done to you by other people.

1 Peter 2:18–25 ESV

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Peter is not endorsing slavery but rather talking to Christians about how to act in a manner worthy of the title Christian.

What he tells them is, you can’t control what other people do to you. So whether they are mean or nice, you model Christ.

Point 4: Suffering for Christ can be persecution for being a Christian

1 Peter 4:13–16 ESV

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

I don’t know if there are “levels” of suffering but this feels like the top level if there was one. the Bible speaks of this like a badge of honor, almost.

I would say the true test of your faith is when your faith brings pain or death. If you stand firm in faith when death is at the door because of your faith (i.e. persecution), that is S tier faith.

Conclusion:

Now that we know what suffering for Christ is, how do we “develop” this eternal mindset?

I know it sounds too simple but we have to understand the Gospel.

God created all things including man, which he loved dearly, and which gives him creator rights over us. But we rebelled against God. That rebellion is called sin. The consequences of that sin is death. But God being rich in mercy demonstrated his own love for us that while we were still sinners against Him, Christ stepped out of Heaven down to Earth, lived a perfect life and yet still died on the cross to pay the debt that we earned for our sin. Then he didn’t stay dead. He destroyed the sting of death by raising from the dead three days later. He will restore and redeem all things when he comes back again. A time in which all those whom he called called, justified, and sanctified will be glorified. The time in which all the suffering that Christ did on our behalf and that we shared in as those he saved will be done away with. The time when all will be judged and the ones who are saved will be called righteous because of Christ. The time when all things will be made new.

If you want to have an eternal mindset, this Gospel has to be fully embraced, believed, and lived out.