Christian and suffering

Several Christians assume that a  life of faith is devoid of hardships and suffering. This thinking is borrowed from the assumptions of other religions and the basic human aspiration to live trouble-free. Many people piggyback on religion and spirituality to be materially prosperous and to have a reputation in the society. Some turn to religion to find solace and peace during crises,  sickness and pain. Christian faith also has been misunderstood by many and the Bible has been misinterpreted in most cases.

Jesus’s warning

Jesus very plainly told His disciples that there will be suffering and persecution for those who follow Him. All He promised them was His presence and the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33 NLT)

Jesus never promised His disciples a rosy life. He Himself went through humiliation and agony in His condescension and crucifixion. He told some followers who wanted to know his address, that,

“Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
(Matthew 8:20 NLT)

Jesus sent out His disciples to preach the message of the kingdom with the instruction that they “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.
(Luke 9:3 NLT)   But they were given power to cast out evil spirits and heal diseases.

Take My yoke

Jesus invited them to remain under His Lordship and promised them rest.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
(Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 NLT)

Carry your own cross

The disciples were reminded of the way of the cross lying ahead of them. They were to tread a path laden with difficulty, opposition and suffering.

And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
(Luke 14:27‭, ‬33 NLT)  

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
(Luke 9:23 NLT)

Prosperity Theology

Though the Bible doesn’t promise it, some preachers guarantee material prosperity, wealth and health as reward for faith. This is their formula for a ballooning congregation. As membership grows their own prosperity is guaranteed. But the poor members are left in their dreams or blamed for their lack of faith. Many end up disillusioned.

There is no biblical basis for guaranteed material prosperity for a New Testament believer. All we can pull out are verses that apply to the Jewish nation under the Abrahamic covenant.

Apostles’ life and death

According to history and legends, of the twelve disciples of Jesus, all except John were martyred. James, son of Zebedee, was executed by Herod (Act.12:2). Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded, both under Emperor Nero of Rome. Andrew was crucified somewhere in Greece. Thomas was killed in India with spears piercing through him. Philip was put to death by the Roman authority. Matthew was stabbed to death in Ethiopia. James, son of Alpheus, was stoned and clubbed to death and Mathias was burned to death. Church leaders down through centuries were persecuted and many were killed by the enemies of the Gospel. Christians are being persecuted even today in different parts of the world.

Paul’s example

Apostle Paul went through severe hardships and sufferings unlike other Apostles. In 2Corinthians 6:4-10 he narrates some of those experiences.

We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.
(2Corinthians 6:5 NLT)

Paul suffered for the sake of Christ’s commission and was boasting about it.

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.
(Galatians 6:14 NLT)

He wrote from the prison cell in Rome, to the Christian community in Philippi, reminding them that suffering is a part of the Christian life.

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
(Philippians 1:29 NLT)

Jesus warned all those who wanted to follow Him that they should count the cost before setting out. He wanted people to be aware of the hardship and suffering which is a part of Christian life. (Luke 14:25-35) There is no turning back once you step out to follow Him.

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
(Luke 9:62 NLT)

Withdrawing to Emmaus

Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

(Luke 24:18-27 NLT)

The disciples of Jesus were in a state of total loss after Jesus’ death and burial. All that they heard Him say and watched Him do still had not affected their mindset. They were about to bury their dreams of a free state under Jesus’ kingship.

Not rooted in the Word

As these disciples were withdrawing to their village away from the action spot Jesus caught up with them. But, sad enough, they didn’t recognize Him.

These followers of Jesus had a different expectation about the Messiah. They were not so rooted in the scriptures that they could understand the events that took place. They didn’t realise that all those were fulfillment of prophecies. These men were not there when the resurrected Lord Jesus appeared to the disciples.

Jesus was trying to remind these men the promise of God in the Scriptures and its fulfillment in His life.

Withdrawal from fellowship

These men were part of the fellowship of Jesus’ followers. But their expectations were different from the plan of God. Though all His disciples were disillusioned at the departure of their leader, they were strengthened and reaffirmed by His post resurrection appearances. Staying aloof from Christ and Christian fellowship can cost us experiences that would strengthen and reassure us of the validity of our faith.

Unbelief Rebuked

Jesus explains to them the scripture portions that foretold about the messiah and the events they had witnessed. He also rebuked them for their unbelief. However, the Savior was gracious enough to restore them and reassure them in their faith.

Are we rooted in God’s Word which is the foundation of our faith? Are we partakers of the fellowship of God’s people?

Knowing the times and seasons

We are almost at the end of the season of grace. What we see around us are it’s signs, as predicted in the Bible. All the prophecies regarding the rapture of the Church are fulfilled and the Lord will come anytime now to gather His people unto Himself. Are you ready!?

The Bible says,
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”
(1Thessalonians 4:16‭-‬17 NLT)

We don’t know exactly when this is going to happen, but this will be the next major event that will shock the whole world. According to Bible prophecy the stage for this event is ready. Jesus told His followers in Matthew 24:32-33 the example of the fig tree. The blossoming fig tree announced the arrival of summer season. The fig tree is used as a type of Israel. Israel has been revived as a nation. Today it is a flourishing and prosperous and powerful nation. Most Jews have returned to their homeland from all corners of the world where they had been scattered. All these were fulfillment of Biblical prophecies.

The true Church will be snatched away from this world and there will come a world leader who will control the whole world. He will promise peace and security to everyone. There will be one leader, one government and one religion for seven years. This is known as the time of Jacob’s trouble or the great tribulation. He will break his promises by the middle of this period, will sit in the temple at Jerusalem and demand that everyone should worship him. Anyone who refuses will be put to death.

The world is already moving towards the ONE government, ONE religion philosophy. What everyone needs is peace and security. But the Word of God has warned about the false promises of peace and security.

Recently the UN has erected a statue in its premises in New York which they say is the guardian of peace and security. This sounds like what we see in Daniel 7:4 and Revelation 17:2-3.

Guardian for international peace and security

“While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
(1Thessalonians 5:3 ESV)

Though we do not know the date and the time we have been given signs of the season. It is wise to be prepared to meet the judge of all mankind.

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!
(Mark 13:32‭-‬33 NLT)

Uniqueness of Jesus Christ

We have scores of teachers, leaders and people of influence around us. We follow these for various reasons. Some consider all of them of equal importance and significance. However, there is one who stands out among them. He has no equal. He is incomparable, the one and only. He is Jesus Christ!

God became Man

Jesus is the very God who set aside His glory and limited Himself by time and space to become a human, for redeeming mankind from sin and eternal death. He became the sacrifice for our sin. He bore the punishment for our sins upon Himself because we could never do it on our own.

Sinless one

Jesus could do it because as a human He was sinless. John the baptizer testified that He was the perfect lamb without blemish who was sacrificed for the sins of the entire human race (John 1:29).

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

(2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT)

Christ did not sin or ever tell a lie.

(1 Peter 2:22 CEV)

He challenged His enemies to convict Him of sin (John 8:46).

Prophetic Fulfillment

His birth, life, teachings, death, resurrection and ascension, everything about His life was in fulfillment of prophecies. The world has yet to see another person who came, lived, died and rose again fulfilling hundreds of prophecies. He is God’s solution for man’s fundamental problem- sin. He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who trust Him and accept Him as the only Saviour. Will you trust Him?

Jesus Christ the Incomparable

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Mt. 17: 1-13)

This is a passage that vividly portrays Jesus as the Son of God and superior to all the heroes of the Bible. Living with Jesus already for a couple of years the disciples could not recognize Him at times. However, when two people appeared before Jesus on that mountain they could without a doubt say they were Moses and Elijah. Even the glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus did not make as much impact as the presence of these two heroes.

Never equate Jesus to any other human

Peter so moved by the sight expressed his desire to be there for longer. He offered to make tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. He still has not understood that the one with whom they were living is the God of Moses and Elijah, the Creator God who became human. He equated Jesus with them and proposed similar dwelling places for all.

Apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between man and God (1 Tim. 2:5). There is no other advocate who can argue our case before the throne of God. All others are His creation and He is the very God who stepped down into time to save us.

God commands us to listen to Jesus

As soon as the suggestion to place the saints on the same pedestal as Jesus was put forth, God audibly corrected them, as at the time of His baptism, saying Jesus was His beloved Son and they should listen to Him. By hiding the heroes under the clouds God focused their attention on His Son and the Savior of the world.

Focus on Jesus and follow Him.

Have you considered some Biblical character as important as Jesus? Have you ever thought that Jesus was one of the many heros of the Bible? If so, you were wrong. There is none like Jesus. God the Father testified it here in this scripture. Jesus is the very God who stepped out of eternity into time, the one and only Savior, the only mediator between man and God. Listen to Him and obey Him. Never equate Him with another human.