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REFLECTION

Suffering and glory is the theme for our reflection. Suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. Glory on the other hand is something which deserves honor or praise. One of the reason Paul wrote the epistle of Ephesians is to give them great encouragement and to remind them of the mystery of the Gospel which is salvation in Christ. Our focus in today’s reflection is Paul’s suffering on account of preaching the Gospel and yet writing to encourage the Ephesians to focus on their salvation in the Lord and the glory that awaits them.

It is not an easy task to be suffering and yet gather the energy and fortitude to encourage others. The Christians at Ephesus may have been worried about the imprisonment of Paul hence their discouragement. Paul assured them that his suffering is for their gain or glory. “So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:13). In other words, Paul had to go through suffering for others to receive salvation and share in the future glory of all believers. Paul was not the first to suffer on account of the Gosple, others before him including His Master Jesus had suffered so that others may experience salvation and eternal glory. Paul’s suffering however was more beneficial to the Gentiles. Paul wrote that “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ…(Ephesians 3:6-9)

Dear friend, the lesson we deduce from Paul’s commitment to Christ is that there are times our salvation and calling will require us to go through suffering so that others may be saved or get to know Christ. Christianity is not always about prosperity and comfort but sometimes suffering may come our way on account of our faith in Jesus so that others may experience the manifestation of His glory. There are times we may have to endure insults and abuse from people because we stand for Christ, that should not discourage us. Suffering for Christ leads to our own glory and the glory of those who will be saved through our preaching of the Gospel.  Jesus assures us in Revelation 22:12-13 that “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” He further assures us that “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 11:11-12) Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to endure suffering on account of our faith in Jesus Christ so that when He returns we shall be partakers of His glory. Amen