Friday, May 5

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Christian Suffering

This week we have looked at the constant suffering that Paul faced because of his conviction surrounding the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 4:12-13 is a passage that points to the suffering that comes as a result of following Jesus. Peter commands us not to be surprised when we experience suffering in the name of Jesus. Suffering is not unusual to the Christian because suffering was not unusual to Christ. Christ experienced persecution, not because he was "a murderer, thief, evildoer, or meddler (1 Peter 4:15), but due to his countercultural message and claims of being God. As we proclaim his message, the gospel, we can anticipate suffering.In light of those sufferings, we are called to rejoice. Why should we rejoice in suffering? We rejoice because it means that we share in the sufferings of Christ. The very thing for which Jesus Christ suffered, we, too, suffer. We are united with Christ even in the hard, messy parts of life. As Christians, we treasure Christ above all things, including a life absent of suffering and pain. We believe that Christ is worth the cost of convenient, comfortable lives. We believe that Christ is worth everything.Additionally, the bible is clear: those who take part in the suffering of Christ also take part in His glory. We rejoice currently in our suffering, and there is coming a day in which we will rejoice with a great joy when his glory is revealed in full. We share in sufferings now. We will share in glory later! This reality is a cause for future hope and present rejoicing while enduring persecution.