May 6, 2022

I Peter 4: 13 (NIV)

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

My faith is founded on a sufferer.*

Remember when Jesus “began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things” (Matthew 16: 21)? Remember what Peter said? “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” Could this possibly be the same Peter who tells us now to rejoice in the sufferings of Christ?

What happened to change Peter’s outlook? 

Have you ever taken a bite of something you were sure you wouldn’t like – only to find out you did? When my daughter-in-law tried a new dessert recipe, I was certain I wouldn’t like it but I tried it because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.  Since then, I have asked her never to prepare that dish again when I am around because I couldn’t stop eating it. No willpower whatsoever!

I think something similar happened to Peter. The “sufferings of Christ” sounded like something distasteful – even dreadful – until he tried it. Like Peter, if you participate in Christ’s suffering, you will discover that there is joy to be experienced when his glory is revealed.

So go ahead. Take a little taste. Step out in faith and rejoice in how delicious it is to suffer with Christ.

The way in which suffering is faced, namely as something to be rejoiced in, determines whether Christians will rejoice at the last day and share in the glory of Christ.*