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1 Peter 4:13
“Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
Persecution, whether it arrives as physical harm or verbal harassment, should never surprise Christians when it comes upon us for our faith in Christ (1 Peter 4:12). After all, Jesus Himself states that people will hate us for His name’s sake (Matt. 10:16–22). Not only should we not be surprised when it comes time to suffer for the Lord, but we also are not called to endure suffering stoically. Quite the contrary—today’s verse says that we are to “rejoice insofar as [we] share Christ’s sufferings” (1 Peter 4:13).
What does it mean to share in Christ’s sufferings? It cannot mean that we add to the value of the Lord’s atonement or merit salvation for other people by our suffering. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, not by works, not even the work of suffering shame for the name of Jesus (Eph. 2:8–9). Furthermore, Christ’s death is unique in its purpose and efficacy. It cannot be repeated or made effectual by any suffering that we endure (Heb. 10:1–18).
To share in Christ’s suffering has three possible meanings that ultimately are not mutually exclusive. First, to share in Christ’s sufferings could refer to our sharing in the pattern of our Savior’s life and death. As His disciples, we are called to model our lives after Jesus, and that includes taking up the cross of suffering as we follow Him (Mark 8:34–35). Second, sharing in Christ’s sufferings could simply mean going through suffering because of our allegiance to Jesus. Third, sharing in Christ’s sufferings could mean sharing in the messianic woes that precede the final day of the Lord. Zechariah 12–14, among other passages, predicts suffering for the people of God before His fully establishing His kingdom on the earth. The elect will experience woes before the day of the Lord, when Jesus consummates His kingdom, so sharing in Christ’s sufferings could refer to our experiencing persecution as we await the Messiah’s return.
Whether sharing in Christ’s sufferings means one or all three of these options, we are to rejoice today so that we may rejoice and be glad when Jesus’ glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13). As noted in our last study, we are not called to look for persecution, but our response to persecution matters. If we rejoice at the opportunity to suffer for Jesus, then we will persevere through it and not look to escape it at any cost. That demonstrates genuine faith, whose end is eternal glory in Christ’s kingdom.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Rejoicing in suffering does not mean being happy about pain, nor that we cannot look for a way out of it. Instead, it means being glad that we have been counted worthy to be Jesus’ disciples and being willing to continue in suffering if the only way to escape it is to deny Jesus. It also means encouraging one another in suffering, for as we do that, we will find it easier to rejoice as we go through trials and tribulations for the sake of Jesus.
For further study
- Psalm 30
- Daniel 3
- Luke 6:22–23
- Colossians 1:24–29
The bible in a year
- 2 Chronicles 34–36
- John 19:16b–42