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SHARING IN CHRIST’S SUFFERING (LENT DAY 12)

SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 17:1-7, 15-16
ROMANS 4:13-25
MARK 8:3-38

REFLECTION
Sharing in Christ’s suffering is the theme for our reflection. Sharing in Christ’s suffering means enduring hardship on account of Jesus Christ as a disciple or believer. Jesus explained sharing in His suffering when He said “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34). It also means bearing the cost of discipleship. We shall reflect on the following facts:
1. It takes faith to share in Christ’s suffering.
2. There is a reward for sharing in Christ’s suffering.

Firstly, it takes faith to share in the suffering of Christ. What kind of faith is required, we need to follow Abraham’s example of faith when God entered into a covenant relationship with Him. “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. ² Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” (Genesis 17:1-2). In other words, the kind of faith needed to share in the suffering of Christ is walking faithfully and blamelessly with Christ regardless of the hardship, temptations and persecutions that may come our way. Paul greatly encourages us to follow Abraham’s example of faith in overcoming suffering, disappointment and challenges when he wrote, Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead —since he was about a hundred years old —and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.’ (Romans 4:19-21). Similarly, without faith, it is impossible to share in the suffering of Christ and to please Him, “for without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6). Beloved in the Lord, it is most likely that in our Christian journey, we shall be exposed to all manner of suffering, persecutions and unjust treatment at work, in marriage and even in the church on account of our faith in Jesus Christ. Do we give up serving Jesus or revoke our discipleship status when sharing in Christ’s suffering becomes unbearable? It takes faith to endure and share in Chris’ suffering. Abraham’s faith was enduring to the end. We are also called upon to have faith that is enduring, faithful and blameless even in the toughest and harshest conditions and treatment. May we remain focused on Jesus and bring before Him our burdens even in this season of Lent. The Psalmist greatly encourages us to have faith in times of suffering when he says “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. ¹⁰ Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalms 9:9-10). I greatly encourage you to be strong in faith in whatever suffering and challenges you are currently experiencing as a result of your faithfulness to Jesus. Jesus says “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) Just as God honoured His promise to Abraham and did not put Him to shame through faith, the Lord will glorify Himself in your life through your faith and will not put you to shame.

Secondly, sharing in Christ’s suffering comes with a reward. Jesus assured us, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:35-37). Projecting Jesus through the preaching of the Gospel and living a Gospel-worthy life may come with suffering, rejection and persecution but Jesus assures us that even though we may physically or materially lose our lives, our eternal life is guaranteed. It is for this reason He assures us in Matthew 5:11-12 that, ““Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” Again, we are greatly emboldened in Isaiah 40:31 that “those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” No condition is permanent, sharing in Christ’s suffering will surely come to an end and will end in victory and glory just as “weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Sharing in Christ’s suffering” We have discovered that It takes faith to share Christ’s suffering and There is a reward for sharing in Christ’s suffering. May the Holy Spirit empower us to continually share in Christ’s suffering to the glory of God. Shalom.