Suffering

One by one, they died. James, the brother of John, was beheaded. Thomas was killed in India. Simon was crucified in Egypt. Mark, the first bishop of Alexandria, was burned and buried in Egypt as well. Bartholomew was beaten, crucified, and beheaded. Andrew, Peter’s brother, was crucified in Rome. Matthew was killed with a spear. Phillip was stoned and then hanged on a cross. James, the brother of Jesus, survived being thrown from the temple. Then he was beaten to death.

Let me start with a question, “What do you live for?” What is the calling, the initiator, the motivation of your life? Check out this passage from 1 Peter.

One day Jesus will wipe away every tear and welcome you to the home where pain, suffering, crying, and tears cannot enter. Your darkest night will one day be erased by the view of the Son.

Jesus learned obedience through suffering…all the way to the cross.

The apostles followed hard after Jesus during their lives and in their deaths.

The Apostles followed hard after Jesus during their lives and in their deaths. They committed “themselves to their faithful Creator.” They were not only great teachers; they are great examples of suffering according to God’s will.

This life is short. The believer, regardless of earthly suffering, will spend eternity in heaven. The wicked, regardless of earthly “prosperity,” will spend eternity in hell.

When God sent his Son into the world, he did not make it easy for the parents or the child. He stripped the Anointed One of every royal privilege. Already tagged as an illegitimate child, Jesus breathed his first breaths of air in a musty stable. Jesus learned obedience through suffering…all the way to the cross.