The Father and I are one.” Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?” They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.” Jesus replied, “It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’ And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’ why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. John 10:30-37
Jesus suffered for us to give us life so we can also suffer for others. “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps” – 1 Peter 2:21.
Jesus was persecuted. He said we shall also be persecuted. “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also” – John 15:20.
His suffering for us was accepted because he was just. “For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust , that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” – 1 Peter 3:18.
We are also qualified to suffer for others because he made us also just. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” – Romans 4:25.
Our suffering is an option. If only you want to reign with him suffering is the option. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us” – 2 Timothy 2:12.
What is the suffering all about? It is about sharing the gospel. Just because the apostles preached the gospel and did miracles in Jesus name, they were imprisoned for the first time in their lives. “And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison” – Acts 5:18.
Paul and Silas were arrested and later beaten and imprisoned because of casting a demon out of a slave girl. “And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers” – Acts 16:19.
Suffering is not enjoyable for any reason. But Jesus endured suffering for an ensuing reward. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” – Hebrews 12:2. Your reward is on the way.
LET’S PRAY
Heavenly Father, give me grace enough to know that, enduring suffering for any good cause, is the key to opening the door of greatness. O Holy Spirit take more of me and give me more of You to enable me endure every form of suffering to the end in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen Amen Amen
AGREE WITH ME
You are a plant and you just need water to flourish and bear fruit to fulfill your destiny. So, you need to be connected to the Source that never dry. I therefore decree and declare this morning “May your business, finances, career, academics, marriage, family, health, physical person and spiritual person be connected to the Fountain of life, by the Power of the Holy Spirit in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!”