Suffer With Christ

• Suffer with Christ
• The root cause of suffering
• What can we learn
• Members of your own household

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Human nature resists suffering. But what does it mean to suffer, especially to suffer with Christ?

Matthew 16:21-22 (NKJV) reads:
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

The Greek word for "suffer" is paschō (G3958), which can mean enduring in either a good or bad sense. It’s important to understand the context of Jesus’ suffering and what our perspective and expectations should be when we face suffering ourselves.

The root cause of suffering

Jesus clearly identified the individuals who would be the cause of His suffering:

1. Elders
2. Chief priests
3. Scribes that include the Sandhedrine and the Jewish High Court

These were leaders in the Church—those called to shepherd and guide God’s people. Ironically, it was these leaders who caused Jesus’ suffering and eventual death.
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Now, as we know, there were a handful of leaders who recognized Jesus’ authority and knew He was the Son of God. But they did not fully grasp what it meant to suffer with Him. Notice, Peter’s response to Jesus in Matthew 16:22. His reaction reveals the mindset of many when he rebuked Jesus, essentially saying, “This will never happen to You!” (AMP). But let’s go deeper.

According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, suffering means to permit or allow; to go through or experience; to suffer affliction or share ill-treatment, hardship, adversity, dishonor, shame, violence, or wrong. There is nothing good about suffering. But Jesus knew beforehand that His suffering was being allowed by God and, therefore, it was to be expected in His case.

Despite the intensity of His trials, Jesus never complained publicly or privately. He endured as a soldier, understanding that His suffering was essential for the salvation of humanity. Jesus understood that to accomplish His purpose on earth on behalf of mankind, His suffering was an unfortunate necessity.

what can we learn

​Christians often quote the phrase “we must suffer with Christ” but fail to live out its true meaning in their ministry, church activities, or when fulfilling their personal ministry or divine calling. Like Peter, many of us resist the reality of suffering, even though it is part of our journey with Christ. They love saying the phase because it is sounded Christianese, but most are not geniuely committed to living out that jargon. In fact, Peter said in the terms that most Christains geninuely feel about suffering with Christ. “This shall not happen to you!” (NKJV). The Amplified Version says, “… God forbid it.”
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Members of your own householD

Christians must understand that we have more than an obligation to preach and teach the good news of the gospel and to assist in building up our brothers and sisters in the faith (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-16). But we have the responsibility to endure suffering at the hands of Church folks and its leaders, like Christ. The scriptures say you enemy will be members of your household (Matthew 10:36).

The Greek word for "household" (oikiakos, G3615) refers to those under the authority of a master, whether a son or a servant. Are we all not servants under control of the House of God? Therefore, we should not be surprised when our suffering comes from within the Body of Christ, even from its leaders. We need to ask ourselves:

• So, why do so many become upset and publicly vocalize their grievances on social media or among a group of their peers?
• For what purpose?
• What are you actually attempting to accomplish by doing so, especially when we all are instructed to expect to suffer with Christ?

Jesus was not shocked by the behavior and actions of His brothers. In fact, He spoke about such behavior by leaders before it even occurred—but not in a way to earn sympathy points from others, to cause division, or to build a caravan of support for a pity party, etc. When Jesus spoke of His suffering, He did so in a way that fulfilled the words Paul spoke in Ephesians 4:12-13:

• To equip the saints
• To edify the Body
• To create and build unity of faith

Is this what your public grievances are creating among the Body of Christ? If not, then your actions are causing division and discord, and you are not suffering with Christ in the manner in which you should. This also applies to anyone who agrees, likes, or makes supporting comments regarding a person's public grievances. Therefore, it is important that we check our hearts (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Let’s close with Paul’s words at 2 Corinthians 13:1-5. “This will be the third time I am coming to you. ‘By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.’ I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Let’s not disqualify ourselves by continuing to cause division among our brothers by publicly complaining about our suffering, the things Jesus said we should be willing to endure with Him. Suffering at the hands of some leaders should be expected. Why?

1. It occurs sometimes at our own hands because of bad decisions made on our part when dealing with our brothers and sisters.
2. Because Jesus said we all should be willing to suffer with Him. If we are truly of Christ, we are expected to suffer alongside Him.
3. Again, Matthew 10:36 says a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Why is this the case? Because even in the Body of Christ, especially among its leadership, there will be some who profess to believe and follow Christ, but really do not.

​Knowing this should bring us some level of comfort, knowing that we are suffering alongside Christ, as He did.