It might be something as significant as serving a loved one during their ten year bout with Alzheimer's until their death. It might be epic such as those who gave their own time and even died to save Jews during Hitler's tyranny or African Americans in the underground railroad. It might be more common like a mother and father who suffer sleep deprivation during a colicky infant's first few months of life.
When someone else suffers for us, it demonstrates our value.
No, let's take it further. Let's look at Ephesians 3:13. In his letter to the Ephesians*, Paul says, "I ask you, therefore, do not be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory." Paul uses the word "glory" which is the same Greek word that is used to talk about Christ's coming (Matt 24:30, Mark 8:38, Mark 13: 26) and a number of other places in the New Testament to talk about the glory of God. It's the same word. It is a general word that means opinion or judgement, or view, but it is always used in a positive way in the New Testament**.
When someone else suffers for us, it demonstrates our glory. It demonstrates our dignity. It demonstrates our God given image.
So often, when someone suffers for us, we feel embarrassed to receive that type of praise from another person. We lower our eyes. We say, "I'm sorry you had to do that for me." This is why Paul had to say such a thing to the Ephesians. Paul had a difficult life because of his ministry. Accusations, shipwrecks, near death experiences, and finally house arrest. He suffered for people like the Ephesians. They knew it.
Paul told them, "Don't be discouraged that I suffer for you. It reveals your glory." His suffering revealed their dignity and God-given image. Paul knew they'd shy away from receiving such praise. He wanted to tell them that it's okay to receive sacrificial service from another person, including him, because by accepting such service they acknowledge the dignity and value God has placed in them as his creatures. And, in reality, that means they are accepting a gift from God. Receiving gifts from God unreservedly is one of our greatest forms of worship.
In our own lives, we are tempted to downplay the sufferings of others on our behalf. Do not reject such suffering, we are told. We are valuable and worth receiving such glory. This isn't because you've done something to earn such glory. It is simply because God has decided you are so valuable and worth everything to Him. Do not be discouraged that He suffered an eternity in hell on your behalf, shrunk up in a little ball of bitterness and putrid thoughts of contempt towards everyone and everything. Your value is demonstrated through his sacrifice.
He is all the more glorious for pouring His value into us through suffering.
___________________________
*The Ephesians were a group of people from one of the earliest churches in Ephesus, which is located in modern day Turkey.
**Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for doxa (Strong's 1391)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 30 Dec 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment