At a conference a few years back, the presenter shared 2 characteristics of the ministry of Jesus, of Paul and of ministers still today. Those two characteristics were:
- Suffering
- Joy
In the case of Jesus, He pointed us to Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus suffered to pay the price our sins deserved, but it brought joy to Him and to us!
Paul was destined to suffer for Christ:
Acts 9:16 I will show him [Paul] how much he must suffer for my name.”
Paul met plenty of hardships during his ministry, but he had joy in knowing that people were being led to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
While the presenter at the conference did not make the connection, when he mentioned suffering and joy, my mind immediately recalled that very familiar Christmas Carol with these words in the refrain: “O tidings of Comfort and Joy…” I just recently came across some words I scribbled down to the melody of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”
We celebrate our Savior King was born on Christmas Day,
But serving Him is often met with trials along the way
And often we are left feeling despair and great dismay,
O tidings of suffering and Joy, suff’ring and joy,
O tidings of suffering and joy.
While we know the joy of our Savior’s birth, and what He did by coming down here to earth, our lives are not exempt from suffering. Can you rejoice and suffer at the same time? You can if you keep your eyes fixed on your Savior.
Joy is not the absence of sorrow. Joy is not being happy all the time. Joy in Christ belongs to those who put their faith and confidence in Him. Joy in Christ is the certainty that you are loved by God, forgiven by Him for Jesus’ sake, and that you have eternal life. Joy in Christ enables you to face suffering and hardship and trials with the conviction that your life is in God’s loving hands.
Tidings of suffering and joy.
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