SHARING BREAD
17 “Be on your guard against men;
they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.
18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings
as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do
not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given
what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your
Father speaking through you.”
Matt
10:17-20 (NIV)
“To
added affliction He addeth His mercy, to multiplied trials, His multiplied
peace.” Annie Johnson Flint
Jesus’ Word to His guys (and every other subsequent disciple
for that matter) regarding the response they should anticipate from the message
He sent them to proclaim appears anything but encouraging. He taught them they were to expect suffering –
on His account - in carrying out His ministry.
Floggings, arrests and fears in speaking certainly do not promote warm
fuzzies and sweet dreams! Yet our Lord
also directed the disciples how to bear up under these trials, how to go on
with His works even in the midst of suffering and how to battle and abate that formidable
foe – fear – the great enemy of faith - all in an effort for them to be readied
and prepared and to remain at peace in every circumstance. It is our Lord’s desire for His disciples to
be alert to the fact of these possibilities, to be on guard so as not to be taken
by surprise by the enemy who ever prowls around like a roaring lion seeking those
he may devour. We would also do well to
remember that the student is not above the Teacher. Jesus’ Word to us in John comes to mind:
18 “If the world hates you, keep
in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love
you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you
out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No
servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute
you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my
name, for they do not know the One who sent me.”
John 15:18-21 (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me
you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have
overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
“Calvary
is God’s great proof that suffering in the will of God always leads to
glory.” Warren Wiersbe
Scripture teaches us that following Jesus often results in
the world’s hatred. James also tells us
that friendship with the world is hatred toward God:
4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship
with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the
world becomes an enemy of God. James
4:4 (NIV)
Oftentimes westerners have the mistaken mentality in regard to
selflessness, suffering, trials and tribulations that it is something foreign
to the will of God. Actually, nothing is
further from the truth. Just take a look
at the selfless life Jesus lived and suffered through for the benefit of all sinful
humanity. Christ foresaw His sufferings
as well as those of His followers and He bids us to go forth as He resolutely went
forth Himself. He gives us a heads up in
order that we will neither be surprised nor shocked by persecution in our walks
of faith rather strengthened and encouraged as a prediction fulfilled brings
confirmation that we are walking rightly.
We are red flagged by Peter as well regarding trials stressing that we are
not to be surprised when they come rather mentally prepared focusing not on the
trial but rather on the joy that will be ours when the glory of Christ is
revealed:
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial
you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of
Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)
“Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger…these are nothing when
compared with the glory that will be revealed in, and for us.” David
Livingstone
“It
is in the quiet crucible of our personal private sufferings that our noblest
dreams are born and God’s greatest gifts are given; often given in compensation
for what we have been through.” Wintley Phipps
“All
my sufferings served to promote my spiritual and eternal good. Glory be to thee, O Lord.” Susannah
Wesley
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good
of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be
conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers. 30 And
those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those
he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)
“On Him then reckon, to Him look, on Him depend: and be assured that if you walk with Him,
look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. An older brother, who has known the Lord for
forty-four years, who writes this, says for your encouragement that He has
never failed him. In the greatest difficulties,
in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never
failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust in Him, He has
always appeared for my help. I delight
in speaking well of His Name.” George Mueller
What I glean from this:
· Trials are a part of the
Christian walk. Both believers and non-believers
alike will suffer as we live in a fallen world YET (and Hallelujah!) there is always purpose in the pain for the believer
in Jesus.
· The example of the Master’s
walk was replete with selflessness and suffering.
· Jesus never fails me.
