[The mysterious connection between pain and glory]
"For it became for Him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons onto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering." Hebrews 2:10
There is a surprising connection between pain, suffering, persecution and glory (in this Kingdom). Luke 24:26 declares 'Ought not Jesus to have suffered these things and entered into glory.'
It does not sound pleasing but it is sometimes God's way to take you to your promised land -through the wilderness.
In the text above, we've seen that the perfection of Jesus came 'through' suffering. Not from suffering, but in the process of pain.
In order to inherit the crown, He had to go through the cross. He did not take the crown on the street.
The Bible says that because He humbled himself and accepted the death of the cross, then the Father had highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every other name!
At the mention of that name, authorities bow! That superior authority came through suffering. Hebrews 12:2 declares that for the joy set before him, He endured the shame and the pain.
At a point, before his arrest, the weight of the suffering came on Him and he became very sorrowful. He went to negotiate with the Father (at Gethsemane) if it were possible to gain the glory without the cross.
The Father said no, that the scripture might be fulfilled that he was led as a lamb for the slaughter, but he opened not his mouth. When he understood the unchangeability of this process, he said 'Nevertheless, thy will be done.'
Part of that will was that he would die, a shameful death!
Different Sufferings
This is the kingdom way of bringing men into that place of honour in Christ. Perfection will come at the cost of blood, tears and shame. Yours is different from mine.
The Father determines your own cup of trial and He is the one who determines the duration, and when the seasons of trials are fulfilled, He is the one who will bring you out.
It is at this point you can declare "Let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the mark of the Lord." Galatians 6:10
Of course, you know the mark of the Lord is not a fancy tattoo, but the scares made by the stripes and the nails and crown of thorns, the arrow pierced through his side and the ropes that held him to the cross.
Keep Going
The narrow paths of life is not joyous and so rosy all through. There is a track record of pain that will qualify you for the glory. Keep going.
Ask God for grace to keep going. It is on this rough path you will learn the ways of God. Keep going. God bless you.
#GoodlifeWrites
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