25^th November 2024

THEME: EMBRACING YOUR SUFFERING   

THEME SCRIPTURE:  " They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them." John 18:5 KJV  

PREPARATORY QUESTION:  

1.  When you are confronted with suffering for Christ’s sake, what will you do?  

Jesus, realizing that the time for His death was so close, He crossed over the brook Cedron to Gethsemane (John 18:1). He was not running away from the suffering that was set before Him. He was rather going to seek intimacy with the Father. That is the only place to draw strength to face the hour of darkness.

 

Judas Iscariot had taken a bribe to betray his Master. Having received a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priest, Judas led them to arrest Jesus. It is quite interesting that though Judas and the band of soldiers were looking for Him, Jesus, knowing all things (that this suffering is the Father’s will; a cup His Father wants Him to drink), went forth. Jesus stepped forward to make it easy for them to identify and arrest Him. He accepted the Father’s will and subjected Himself to it.

 

Apostle Peter, writing to the churches, admonished:  “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

 

Beloved, it is easy to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God when all things concerning you are going well. However, in the face of suffering, there is always the temptation to avoid the will of God. Yet it is the pleasure of the true disciple to please the Master in all things, including suffering.

 

In the face of suffering, Jesus demonstrates meekness and majesty in a profound way. In meekness, the Master steps forward to subject Himself to the binding thongs of pain. In majesty, as He responds to suffering, “I am he.” Thus, in the face of suffering, the Master demonstrated not an iota of fear. He approached suffering head-on. He went through it and by His wounds we have received the forgiveness of sins and by His stripes, we were healed.

 

Precious one, should you not drink the cup which the Father has given you, whether it be sweet or sour? Yea, and all those who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Do you desire to live a godly life in Christ? If your answer is yes, then embrace your suffering; this is the path of the just.

Remain blessed

 

FURTHER READING: 2 Timothy 3:11-14  

  Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:  

1. How well have you accepted suffering as part of your Christian journey?  

 

PRAYER:  

Eternal Father, your will alone that shall be done in my life. If I live or die, it is to your glory. I trust that You will always help me to see your will in times of persecution and trials; giving me strength to triumph. In Jesus’ precious name. Hallelujah

 

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Nehemiah 13,  Amos 5, 2 Timothy 2