“For it has been
granted
to you that for the sake
of Christ you should not only
believe
in him but also
suffer
for his sake”
Phil 1:29
When I was 10 years old we were spending Christmas with an aunt and uncle we didn’t see very often. My aunt had done a tremendous amount of work to give her daughters and myself a gift we would never forget. She was so excited watching us open the carefully wrapped boxes. Inside, nestled amongst a small blanket and lots of clothes was a beautiful doll with retractable hair. Yes it was a thing back then. My doll had auburn hair and she was wearing a bright, green pantsuit. My cousins exploded with delight, I can still hear their excited chatter and ohhs and ahhs about all the clothes the doll had to wear and it was then that my aunt revealed she had hand sewn the blankets and the clothes for all 3 dolls.
What a great gift for a girl who had a sister to play with (I didn’t) and for a girl who liked dolls (I didn’t). The funny thing is, this is one of the few gifts I received as a child that I vividly remember. Why? Because the gift had been so carefully chosen, picked out so specifically to bring me joy and I so thoroughly disliked it. I felt ashamed that I couldn’t bring myself to join in my cousins’ enthusiasm. All I could do was thank my aunt and promise her that I would keep it in perfect condition and would hand it down to my own daughters one day. I never played with it.
2 gifts
Phil 1:29 talks about 2 gifts that have been carefully selected for us by God. The Greek word granted means that something has been bestowed or given graciously to someone. Gifted. The implication is that something has been intentionally given to bring pleasure.
What are these 2 gifts? Belief and suffering.
Wait a hot second! Belief…a gift? Yes, all the time. Suffering…a gift? No way! Aren’t all gifts supposed to be good and bring us joy? And if they’re coming from God shouldn’t they better than good, shouldn’t they be perfect? James 1:17 confirms those thoughts by saying “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” and John 3:27 says “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” (ESV)
So…the belief part is easy to accept as a gift, a perfect gift. But the other one…whoa.
Suffering. A gift bestowed, graciously given to bring pleasure.
granted, good & perfect
How so? I can hear you crying and taste your tears. How can our suffering be a gift? It feels so cruel that we are supposed to look on our pain as something intended to bring pleasure. It hurts so much. It shreds our hearts. It makes us question God’s love and doubt his promises. We feel abandoned and alone.
Except, that the worldly mindset of suffering is unholy. Unholy. And when we view our suffering like the world does it robs the gift of its power to connect us with the Lord and commune with our Savior like only pain can.
crucifixion
The Lord’s death was the most gruesome event we could ever imagine. More bloody and vicious that the worst violence we’ve ever set eyes upon or heard about. More agonizing than the worst pain we’ve ever experienced. It was the most inhumane, humiliating form of death practiced at that time; it was saved for the most vile of offenders and the most derelict of criminals.
God sent his son to earth on a mission of suffering. Death. Love.
communion
The communion table welcomes us into the crucifixion event to remember what Christ did for us so that we can understand our own suffering for the gift it is. Christ’s suffering opened the gates of heaven for us, it was the highest, purest and truest revelation of God’s love.
If for some reason you think Jesus doesn’t understand your suffering let’s list some of the things Christ suffered while on earth: he was~ mocked, dismissed as being crazy, undermined, betrayed by his closest friends and confidants, challenged on his claims, thrown out of religious circles, received death threats, publicly shamed, scorned, cheated out of what was rightfully his, spat on, had his hair pulled out, driven away from people, sorrowed by the death of a friend, pained, physically abused, tortured, murdered.
The list is not exhaustive but I’m sure you can see your suffering in there somewhere. Jesus knows exactly how you feel. He went willingly to the cross out of love for you. Hebrews 12:2 says that we should fix our eyes on Jesus, he is the author and perfector of our faith, who for the JOY set before him, willingly endured the cross, scorning its shame.
Our own suffering brings us into the holy space reserved for those want more of Jesus. Pain is a pathway into the arms of the Lord. His life, suffering and death give us an example to live our lives by, especially through our most difficult times. But, as happens so often, we tend to close our hearts to hurt because that’s where the scars are. But YES that’s where the scars are~ nail scarred hands and a pierced side.
finally
“Unaccountable this!” said the Wax, as from the flame it dropped melting upon the paper beneath.
“Do not grieve,” said the Paper, “I am sure it is alright.”
“I was never in so much agony!” exclaimed the Wax, still dropping.
“It is not without a good design, and will end well,” replied the Paper.
The Wax was unable to reply at once, owing to the strong pressure; and when it again looked up it bore a beautiful impression, the counterpart of the seal which had been applied to it.
“Ah! I comprehend now,” said the Wax, no longer in suffering. “I was softened in order to receive this lovely durable impress. Yes; I see now it was all right, because it has given to me the beautiful likeness which I could not otherwise have obtained.” (Mrs. Prosser)