How Great Things He Must Suffer
How Great Things He Must Suffer
2 Corinthians 4:6–11
This testimony of the Apostle Paul that we consider now explains how Jesus manifests Himself in the life of His most committed witnesses: through longsuffering. At the time of his conversion, it was proclaimed of Saul of Tarsus that he was a chosen vessel to suffer greatly for the cause of Christ (Acts 9:16). From the earliest moments of his saved life, Saul began to fulfill that prophecy.
Soon after his conversion, Saul was sharing the gospel throughout Damascus (Acts 9:20). His remarkable transformation from a committed enemy to a witness for Jesus gave him real credibility: the power of Christ was evidenced by the radical change it made in his life. That is also why there immediately arose a plot to kill him. He rather dramatically escaped the assassins lying wait at the city gate with the help of some believers who lowered him in a basket out a window on the wall
(Acts 9:23–25)!
Saul eventually made his way back to Jerusalem, and after Barnabas interceded for him with the local disciples, the new convert began sharing his testimony in that city. In a short time, he was facing death threats there too (Acts 9:29). The record reveals how the Lord warned him to flee Jerusalem (Acts 22:18); he was again running for his very life!
Saul had begun in earnest to suffer for his testimony. He would, in time, be able to hold his suffering up as a proof of his ministry: he “boasted” to the Corinthians of his abundant labors, stripes above measure, frequent jail terms, and brushes with death (2 Cor. 11:23). Paul was able to say from experience that in facing death for Jesus’ sake, the believer “manifests”—that is, shows—Jesus to the world (2 Cor. 4:11). The apostle not only preached about Jesus, but he
also exhibited the characteristics of “the Suffering Servant” in his own life.
In this day of prosperity preaching, the example left by Paul may be unfamiliar to the church. But if we deny the necessity of suffering, we are rejecting a major tenet of Christianity. God expects us to endure the persecution our godly lifestyle attracts. Moreover, our suffering gives God an opportunity to show forth His power of deliverance. May the Lord help us to learn that in our endurance we are living declarations of His matchless, abounding grace.
We are signposts pointing toward Jesus when we learn how to endure righteous suffering.
2 Corinthians 4:6–11
This testimony of the Apostle Paul that we consider now explains how Jesus manifests Himself in the life of His most committed witnesses: through longsuffering. At the time of his conversion, it was proclaimed of Saul of Tarsus that he was a chosen vessel to suffer greatly for the cause of Christ (Acts 9:16). From the earliest moments of his saved life, Saul began to fulfill that prophecy.
Soon after his conversion, Saul was sharing the gospel throughout Damascus (Acts 9:20). His remarkable transformation from a committed enemy to a witness for Jesus gave him real credibility: the power of Christ was evidenced by the radical change it made in his life. That is also why there immediately arose a plot to kill him. He rather dramatically escaped the assassins lying wait at the city gate with the help of some believers who lowered him in a basket out a window on the wall
(Acts 9:23–25)!
Saul eventually made his way back to Jerusalem, and after Barnabas interceded for him with the local disciples, the new convert began sharing his testimony in that city. In a short time, he was facing death threats there too (Acts 9:29). The record reveals how the Lord warned him to flee Jerusalem (Acts 22:18); he was again running for his very life!
Saul had begun in earnest to suffer for his testimony. He would, in time, be able to hold his suffering up as a proof of his ministry: he “boasted” to the Corinthians of his abundant labors, stripes above measure, frequent jail terms, and brushes with death (2 Cor. 11:23). Paul was able to say from experience that in facing death for Jesus’ sake, the believer “manifests”—that is, shows—Jesus to the world (2 Cor. 4:11). The apostle not only preached about Jesus, but he
also exhibited the characteristics of “the Suffering Servant” in his own life.
In this day of prosperity preaching, the example left by Paul may be unfamiliar to the church. But if we deny the necessity of suffering, we are rejecting a major tenet of Christianity. God expects us to endure the persecution our godly lifestyle attracts. Moreover, our suffering gives God an opportunity to show forth His power of deliverance. May the Lord help us to learn that in our endurance we are living declarations of His matchless, abounding grace.
We are signposts pointing toward Jesus when we learn how to endure righteous suffering.
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