Bible Reading: Galatians 3:13 & 1 Peter 4:12-19
Would you willingly endure immense physical pain and fear?
Would you willingly allow others to abandon you, embarrass you, and ridicule you?
Would you willingly permit others to treat you as if you were a criminal if you had done nothing wrong?
Would you willingly and without argument allow a group of people to lead others to believe that you were a traitor to your family, church, and country?
Would you willingly lie on a cross and let someone drive five-inch to seven-inch nails through your hands and feet?
Would you willingly silently allow someone to lift that cross and drop it into a hole in the ground leaving you to hang and slowly suffocate?
Would you willingly submit to all of those things for a friend, a relative, an enemy, or even for a person you had never met?
Jesus did. Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” Jesus suffered the most painful, humiliating death imaginable and He did it for you and me!
Peter tells us in verse 12 of our Bible reading that, if we sincerely follow Jesus, we will suffer for Him. This verse reads, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Jesus suffered to make a way for us to live with Him in heaven forever. Someday, all suffering and pain will end, but, for now, it is our turn. Jesus wants us to be willing to suffer for Him.
Are you willing?
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me [Jesus]. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11 & 12
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m sorry that Jesus had to do all of those things for me…but I’m also glad He did! Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.