Tag Archives: suffer

7 BY THE WAY…THE REAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CAESAREA PHILIPPI

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Jesus’ trip to Caesarea Philippi with His disciples had a second spinoff…and here’s where the context changes our understanding of another important facet of the Christian life.

Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah, the Son of the living God, was dead right but… his understanding of what he said or meant was dead wrong!

From the same place, the rock near Caesarea Philippi, and from then on, Jesus kept explaining to His disciples that being the Messiah meant and included His pathway through death. 

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This notion clashed with the disciples’ expectation that the Messiah would get rid of the Romans and restore David’s glorious reign in Israel. Although Messiah’s suffering was in their Scriptures, the truth was eclipsed by the notion of His role as the coming victorious king. 

The idea of the death and resurrection of their Messiah was unthinkable to the disciples…and Peter would make sure that this was not going to happen to Jesus!

“Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Then follows Jesus’ rebuke…

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What was Jesus really saying to Peter! Was He calling Peter the devil? Let’s look at what Jesus said in the original language. 

“Get behind me…” Peter was to follow, not to lead. This is significant. Peter was trying to lead Jesus away from what He was saying…death and resurrection. Jesus made it clear that It was not Peter’s role to dictate to Him but to follow Him

“Satan…” not the name…not the devil…but the role…accuser. Peter was accusing Jesus of saying the wrong thing! Jesus retorted, “Don’t lead! Don’t accuse! Get behind  me! Follow me!”

“…A stumbling-block…the Greek word is “skandalon”, a scandal. What is a scandal?

“In the Bible, a “scandal” does not mean a public disgrace or juicy gossip. It is the translation of the Greek word skandalon, which means a trap, a snare, or a stumbling block that causes someone to trip, fall, or turn away from God…”

“…Peter Rebuked: When Peter tries to stop Jesus from facing death, Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 16:23 that he is a “stumbling block” (skandalon) to Him because Peter’s mind is set on human things rather than God’s.” (Source: Google AI)

…and Jesus’ explanation of true discipleship…and here, again, the context is crucial!

If these men were to be true disciples of Jesus…they must to get one thing straight…

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must DENY themselves and take up THEIR CROSS and FOLLOW ME. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

in response to Peter’s trying to impose his will on Jesus, Jesus gives Peter and, by association, all the other disciples, the correct “chain of command”. “Denying self” is not about giving up all the nice things because of your faith in Christ…a sort of self-imposed discipline for being a Christian. It’s about not permitting the self to be in charge. It’s about who is Lord in one’s life!

Taking up one’s cross is not about bearing one’s troubles and inconveniences with resignation as one’s “cross” in life. It’s about daily reckoning the self dead and submitting to Jesus as Lord, the control centre of one’s entire life. 

“Follow me…” is not about keeping company with Jesus. It’s about becoming His replica in nature, attitude, thoughts, and behaviour. It’s about becoming a mirror image of Jesus. 

Paul said it like this…

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is the way of a true follower…who accompanies Jesus wherever He leads…and a true disciple…one who learns and copies the one who leads.  

Peter would need to go through all the phases of this process, including his ignominious denial, before he could truly understand who Jesus was…the Christ, the Son of the living God…and duke Him as closely as a disciple. 

PAUL’S HAPPY LETTER…FINALLY – 16a

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”…

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ NIV‬‬

Paul’s “final” instructions often have the most important information in them for his readers and us. However, before we examine the “finally” of this letter, let’s do a quick overview of the “happy” letter. 

Paul was happy because the Philippian church was his faithful partner in preaching, in prayer, and in providing for his needs. 

Paul was happy because, despite his imprisonment, his colleagues were encouraged and continuing to preach the gospel and…he himself was also reaching out to the people in the very jail that kept him locked up. 

Paul was happy because he knew that God will always finish what He started. 

Paul was happy because the Philippians also played their part in suffering with Jesus, just as he did. 

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul was also happy not only about…but also to…to remind and encourage them to keep doing and being who they were. Jesus was the model of humility. He has the attitude of a slave, being obedient to the Father even to death. 

Paul was not only happy about the way his readers were maturing in their faith and in their loving service to one another, which would preserve the unity in the fellowship as they followed Jesus. 

Paul was happy to share with them his own journey…from self-righteousness, which amounted to garbage, to the righteousness of Jesus which he pursued with relentless energy. 

Now, Paul arrives at one of his most profound remedies…for anxiety…something that no doubt hounded his readers because of their uncertain circumstances. He begins with a repetition…First…

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” 

Joy was a legacy from Jesus, not just joy but His joy. 

“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What was the foundation of Jesus’ joy? I think that joy and hope are tied together. It’s difficult to rejoice when the world around is topsy-turvey, and one never knows whether one will be alive tomorrow but…if one’s tomorrow is secure in the purposes of God, then the anxiety about the way one arrives there loses its grip. 

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus’ joy lay in His anticipation of the outcome. His hope was anchored in God’s purpose for Him. He rejoiced in the Father’s presence…pleasure…love…because His heart was set on doing the Father’s will. He would not allow the way to the end…the suffering and the cross…to deter Him from gaining the reward. 

Jesus’ legacy…His love, His joy, His peace…was the promise of restoring everything Adam and Eve lost in the garden through their disobedience. Union with Jesus by faith, and obedience to His “new commandment” would bring back what was missing. 

To be continued

TAKE IT ON THE NOSE!

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TAKE IT ON THE NOSE!

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or a thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel?

And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:15-19)

Suffering in this life is inevitable. It is unfortunately the lot of Adam’s descendants in a fallen world. Grief, pain, sickness, and loss are all part of the consequences of the ‘Pandora’s box’ released on the world by one man’s disobedience. No one, not even the best of us, escapes.

Suffering comes in many disguises and for many different reasons. Our bodies suffer disease and disabilities because the planet we live on is polluted; we abuse them with drugs, alcohol, gluttony, and sexual promiscuity; we overindulge in bitterness, hatred, rage, jealousy and unforgiveness. The cycle of sin and destruction continues from one generation to the next unless, through God’s grace, we stop the rot and turn the tide in our own lives and the lives of our descendants.

Make no mistake, you will suffer. No one is immune. But . . . Jesus said:

‘I have told you these things so that, in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ (John 16: 33)

‘If you suffer because of sin, you deserve it. You are getting what’s coming to you, so take it on the nose and don’t complain,’ said Peter. However, if you suffer for no fault of your own because you wear the name of Jesus, that’s a whole different ball game.

Something happens inside of us when we understand the purpose of the suffering we go through for no reason other than our allegiance and obedience to Jesus as our Lord. When we believed in Him, through the Holy Spirit we became fused to Him in a union so intimate that we became participants of His life. That means that His very nature became ours – the DNA of God was infused into us. A new disposition and mind-set became possible.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15: 5)

Peter’s instruction throughout this letter is clear: If your are suffering for your confession that Jesus is Lord, take it without retaliating. This is the way to stop the rot. Jesus showed us how it works. He suffered without reciprocating. Whatever they did to Him, however cruel and unjust their treatment of Him, He absorbed it into Himself. Instead of perpetuating it by threats or insults of His own, He remained serene and at peace inside Himself because He knew that it was not His fight.

This kind of attitude is liberating for the person who is at the receiving end. He changes the environment from revenge to forgiveness. He does not add his own sin to the ones who sin against him. He does not react; he responds with a different spirit and, by doing so, exposes the wickedness of those who mistreat him. How can he do this? By stepping back and leaving the vindication to the just Judge.

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Consider this: From where do the insults and cruelty meted out against you originate? From your heart or the heart of the perpetrator? From the perpetrator, of course. He must own the guilt because whatever he says or does against you is a mirror of his own heart. If you say or do nothing to retaliate, you are acknowledging that the guilt is his, not yours. You can remain innocent and free from complicity with him if you receive the abuse without reacting.

By God’s grace you can change the environment and turn the tables on your persecutor by doing as Peter counselled:

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide

BE PREPARED

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BE PREPARED

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3: 13-16).

Wise counsel again from Peter! Be prepared.

Keep in mind the reason for his encouragement, that this group of people to which he was writing, believers in Jesus, most of whom were Jews, were the butt of Roman society’s animosity because they were misunderstood. They were part of a new cult, according to the pagans, which was not Jewish. They had tolerated the Jews but this group was spurned even by the Jews. Oh, they worshipped a Jew who was executed by the Romans and was said to have risen from the dead.  However even this phenomenon of resurrection was not new in their religious teachings, but it was their refusal to acknowledge Caesar as Lord, that got them into real trouble.

The pagan Romans and Greeks worshipped many gods, including the ancient character of Genesis, Nimrod, by his many pagan names and derivations. His evil wife, Semiramis had elevated to him to a god after he died. Semiramis also proclaimed herself to be a goddess – the Queen of Heaven. Her son, Tammuz, who was born after Nimrod’s death, whom she claimed was Nimrod’s son, conceived supernaturally after he died, was said to have risen from the dead after being killed by a wild beast in the forest.

Christians were accused of cannibalism because, during their love feasts they celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus by ‘eating His flesh and drinking His blood.’ Although they were, in the main, model citizens, they kept to themselves for fear of persecution, and worshipped in secret. This kind of behaviour made them suspect, and spawned all kinds of false rumours about them.

Peter’s counsel was, ‘Don’t be afraid of them’ – a quote from Isaiah 8:12b. You have nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to fear from them. If you are living your life according to the standards of God’s kingdom, their malicious lies will have no substance. You will put them to shame by your respectful behaviour, your good deeds and by your courteous your response to their questions

Answer them when they question you. You have a very good reason for the hope in you that buoys you up and keeps you going in the face of hardships and unfair treatment. They don’t understand how you can do it? Tell them that is through God’s grace powerfully at work in you that you can put up with injustice without retaliating. You don’t only grin and bear it. You accept it joyfully because it gives you the privilege of suffering alongside your Master who suffered for you.

Jesus said that we must not fear the people who threaten to kill us. They can do no more than put our bodies to death. They cannot kill the indestructible soul within us which belongs to God. The one we are to fear, not be in dread of, but to reverence as Lord, is the one who has the power to destroy both body and soul in hell.

Peter encouraged these sufferers to focus on Jesus. This is the antidote to fear and to the temptation to resist or retaliate. If we keep on gazing at Jesus instead of allowing bitterness and resentment to fester inside, our spirits will remain calm as we draw strength from His suffering.  We remember that ‘He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.’

If Jesus trusted the Father and died trusting Him, can we not also trust Him when we are mistreated for His sake? If we keeping thinking about Him, what He did and what He said, and how He suffered, trusting the Father for justice, it will take the focus off ourselves and save us from suffering from PMS (Poor Me Syndrome!) PMS is the root cause of depression in many people, not chemical imbalances. Imbalances are often the result, not the cause of depression.

There is nothing more medicinal and uplifting than a grateful heart. Gratitude for what Jesus did for you will lift you out of the pits of despair because what He did gives you access into the fullness of His life, His favour and His blessing.

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

 

 

THE GOSPEL OF MARK – WHO ARE THE REAL DANGER?

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WHO ARE THE REAL DANGER?

27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:27-38

This incident and its repercussions have opened up to us at least a part of the reason that Christians are the greatest danger and hindrance to the coming of the kingdom of God. Against the backdrop of Caesarea Philippi, representing the way people think and behave when they reject the “tree of life” and eat the fruit of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”, Jesus asked His disciples the most crucial question they would ever have to answer. “Who do you say that I am?”

Peter’s response was, in essence, absolutely correct but, as he later revealed, its content was way off the mark. It’s the content of that confession that validates or invalidates our confession. From Peter’s declaration, Jesus launched into a revelation of the Father’s agenda for Him, exposing Peter’s contradicting the content of the confession he had just made.

True discipleship not only embraces Jesus’ essence and nature as the Son of God. It also fully embraces the implications of that confession both for Jesus and for himself.

Peter refused to embrace Jesus’ yoke – the unconditional love of God that endures humiliation, disgrace, rejection and ridicule in order to overcome the worst man can do, through compassion and forgiveness. He still espoused violence, force and control as the way of victory. He was embarrassed by Jesus’ revelation of suffering and death as the way of overcoming the world. Jesus repudiated that way as the way of Satan.

God’s love is all-inclusive and all-embracing. He opens His arms to anyone who will repent and return (tefilah, teshuvah). By contrast, Jesus said that discipleship is all-exclusive. He is embarrassed by and repudiates anyone who refuses His yoke and chooses to continue on under the devil’s yoke. Such a person is “anti-Christ”, constituting a danger to the growth of God’s kingdom because he misrepresents his Messiah and brings the spirit of the world into the church, and the name of Jesus into disrepute.82