BLESSED BY SUFFERING WITH THE LORD
The Bible informs us that the Lord Jesus Christ blesses those who suffer with him (Mark 10:29-30; Philippians 2:9-11). And those who suffer with God’s Son will also reign with him (2 Timothy 2:12)
GOD BLESSED HIS SON FOR SUFFERING OUR SINS
- God’s Son, Jesus Christ, left his throne in heaven, submitted himself to death on a cross for our sins, to please God the Father (Philippians 2:5-9).
- He came unto his own people in this world, but they rejected him (John 1:11; John 18:38-40).
- Being rejected, he was condemned to die a cruel death on a cross (Luke 23:13-25).
- After carrying the burdensome cross, he was nailed to it (John 19:16-19).
- He agonized on the cross in excruciating pain for hours (Mark 15:15-37).
- He suffered pain in a way which none of us fully understand—In dying and being separated from the Father for our sins he cried out: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus Christ pleased God by enduring the shame and pain of dying on the cross for mankind’s sins (Philippians 2:8; Hebrew 12:2). Therefore God exalted him and “ gave him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
MANY NAMED AS BLESSED BY SUFFERING WITH THE LORD
The Bible name many Old Testament people who suffered for the Lord God–read Hebrews 11 to see the names of too many to list here. Among those whose names stand out in the New Testament who suffered with the Lord God are Stephen and Paul. However, we are assured that all who suffers with the Lord will reign with him.
STEPHEN—An early church deacon was martyred for defending the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Being full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen confronted religious leader about their roll in killing the “righteous” Son of God. They reacted by stoning Stephen to death. When they were stoning him, he “looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” As he was dying, he pray like Jesus prayed to the Father when the Lord was crucified (Luke 23:46 ]: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:51-59).
PAUL—He was A Rabbi and persecutor of Christ’s followers before the Lord appeared to him in a vision; but after seeing Jesus he believed in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Subsequent to Paul’s conversion, he willingly suffered for God, in proclaiming the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 9:1-30).
Comparing himself to others, Paul said he worked harder and suffered more to promote the gospel of the Son of God: (2 Corinthians 11:23-30):
23 Are they servants of Christ?… I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked…Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
Paul said there is a crown of righteousness awaiting him in heaven, and for all who suffer similar to Christ to please God (2 Timothy 4:8.
WE ARE BLESSED FOR SUFFERING WITH THE LORD
MATTHEW 16:24. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves an take up their cross and follow me.”
MARK 10:29-30. The Lord also said, “no one who suffer for me and the gospel, will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.”
2 TIMOTHY 2:12. And the Word of God says, If we suffer [with our Lord and Savior], we shall also reign with him.
2 TIMOTHY 4:8. And we shall receive the Lord’s “crown of righteousness.”
