DO NOT BE SURPRISED

DO NOT BE SURPRISED

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Peter, and the other apostles, had been with Jesus for over two years before he plainly told them that he was going to suffer at the hands of the Jewish leaders and be crucified. Before revealing this news to them, however, it was important that they correctly understand his deity. When Peter confessed “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God” Jesus congratulated him for correctly understanding who he was. Then Jesus promised to build his church on the rock of his deity, and further promised that the “Gates of Hades” would not prevail against it.

The word “gates” refers to strength. Just as a chain is no stronger than its weakest link, a city is no stronger than its gates. The word “hades” is thought to come from (a – negative and eido – to see, thus meaning “unseen”). Others think it comes from (hado – all receiving, thus referring the place where the spirits of the dead are “all received”. Perhaps it comes from both for everybody dies and their “unseen” spirits are “all received” in “Hades”. Thus it seems that Jesus was assuring this disciples that even though he was going to die, the strength of death would never triumph over his church.

So - “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.”

Then - “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 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 16:21-23)

Peter apparently thought that Jesus was going to establish an earthly kingdom like David. c\ Consequently he thought that suffering was bad and didn’t want Jesus to suffer! Peter, of course, was wrong! Before the foundation of the world it was determined that Jesus would suffer and that we would be redeemed by His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-20). The whole law and sacrificial system was designed to bring us to Jesus that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24). By one sacrifice Jesus made us perfect forever (Hebrews 10:14). The prophets also predicted that Jesus would be led as a lamb to the slaughter and that the Lord would lay upon him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:1-12).

So, six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of a high mountain where he discussed this with Moses and Elijah. (This story is recorded in Matthew l7:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; and Luke 9:28-36). To focus their attention on the importance of this fact Jesus was transfigured before them and his face shone like the sun. Then Luke recorded: “Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke with him about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:30-31) His “departure”, of course, refers to his death!

This conversation with Moses and Elijah helped to convince these men that the death of Jesus was essential to our salvation. Further, it was in complete harmony with the law and he prophets.

When Peter wanted to built three shelters, one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus. At this point God interrupted from heaven and said: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35) The point is that we should listen to Jesus more than we listen to Moses and Elijah. Jesus accurately explains what was written in the law and the prophets.

Peter still didn’t want Jesus to suffer and die so when the soldiers came to arrest him: “Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servants name was Malchus) Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’” (John 18:10-11) Jesus could have immediately had more than twelve legions of angels come to his rescue, but God had an eternal purpose for his suffering (Matthew 26:53-54). Jesus was patient with Peter and later he came to see suffering in its proper light.

It is obvious that Christ Jesus had to suffer! After His resurrection Jesus appeared to two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)

JESUS WARNED HIS APOSTLES THAT THEY WOULD ALSO SUFFER

In the upper room, the night before Jesus was crucified, he told His disciples: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.” (John 15:18-22)

The apostles still wanted to avoid suffering and when Jesus was arrested: “Then everyone deserted him and fled.” (Mark 14:50)

Even after Jesus was resurrected “The disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of he Jews.” (John 20:19)

The Scriptures teach that God made Jesus perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). It was also the plan of God to help his disciples grow spiritually by means of suffering, so - “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)

Jesus also warned the Apostle Paul about suffering. When the Lord sent Ananias to heal Paul He told him: “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands onSaul, he said, “Brother Saul,

the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:15-17)

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives actually transforms suffering into something that causes us to grow spiritually. Paul wrote: “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5). If a seed has life within it, the dirt, the sun, the rain, and even manure will cause it to grow. If a seed does not have life in it, those things will destroy it.

Since the apostles would need divine help to endure suffering, Jesus promised: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (I Peter 4:1-2)

THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES COURAGE TO ENDURE SUFFERING

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4)

• Please note that the apostles were no longer hiding in a locked room but were boldly preaching Christ in public. Because the Holy Spirit gave them courage, 3,000 repented and were baptized (Acts 2:41).
• Peter and John healed a crippled man at the gate called “Beautiful”, and when a crowd gathered Peter preached another sermon. Then the number of men came to be about 5,000 (Acts 4:4).
• When Peter and John were arrested and taken before the Jewish rulers Luke observed: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
• When Peter and John were commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus they replied: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen.” (Acts 4:19-20)
• When they went back to their own people they prayed: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29)
• “Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” (Acts 5:17-20)
• When the apostles were arrested again and brought before the Sanhedrin they were told: “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 6:28-29)
• After Gamaliel persuaded them not to kill the apostles: “They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 6:4-42)
• THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US COURAGE!

PETER AND SUFFERING

• Peter was originally called “Simon” but Jesus said “You will be called Cephas” (which when translated, is Peter). (John 1:42)
• “Cephas” is the Aramaic word for “rock” and “Peter” is the Greek word for “rock”. Vacillating Peter was going to be transformed into someone so “solid” and “dependable” like a “rock.” Every time the 12 apostles are listed, Peter is listed first.
• A part of Peter’s transformation involved the way he looked at suffering. While originally he saw suffering as bad, he would later see it as one way God could be honored in all our lives.
• Remember! After Peter denied Jesus three times before a fire, Jesus allowed to confess him three times before another fire (John 21:15-17) That’s when Jesus warned him of his own martyrdom by saying: “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:18-19)
• When Herod Agrippa beheaded James, the brother of John, with a sword he saw that it pleased the Jews and therefore arrested Peter intending to have him tried in public (Acts 12:1-4).
• At that time an angel miraculously delivered Peter from prison and death (Acts 12:5-19).
• The Bible doesn’t tell us how Peter died, but historians state that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome by order of the Emperor Nero around the year A.D. 64.
• Peter wrote two inspired letters. We know that his first letter was written with the help of Silas (I Peter 5:12). It was sent to God’s elect strangers in the world scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1).
• Please note these references to suffering in 1 Peter:
• They would suffer grief in all kinds of trials (1 Peter 1:6).
• The Scriptures predicted the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 1:11).
• They were redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:19).
• They were like aliens and strangers in the world and would be accused of doing wrong (1 Peter 2:11-12).
• “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
• leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:19-23)
• “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 an answer to everyone who asks you to give the 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 behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:13-17)
• “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.” (1 Peter 4:1)
• “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or 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.” (1 Peter 4:12- 16)
• “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:19)
• “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:8-11)

PAUL AND SUFFERING

When God sent Ananias to heal Paul of his blindness and to baptize him, He said: “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)

Here is a brief sample of what Pau said to his critics about suffering: “Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and

toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands . . . ” (2 Corinthians 11:21-33)

A PROFOUND CHALLENGE

“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering 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. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:24-27)

Just before Jesus died he said: “It is finished”. (John 19:30) The Greek word translated “it is finished” is “tetelestai”. This is an accounting term that means “paid in full.” It is only used two times in the Bible and both are in this passage: “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28-30)

“By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14) The death of Jesus was even a ransom that\ set people free from all the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15)

WITH REFERENCE TO COLOSSIANS 1:24 THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT WHEN JESUS DIED THE DEBT FOR OUR SINS WAS “PAID IN FULL.”

• Since “Christ in you is the hope of glory”, in some mysterious way Paul had “The fellowship of sharing in his sufferings becoming like him in his death.” (Philippians 3:10)
• The sufferings of Jesus paid he debt of our sins, but Jesus has reserved for us the privilege of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. In this regard the sufferings of Jesus did not bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, the sufferings of Paul did that! In this way we can have “the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings.”
• Again Paul wrote to the Corinthians about suffering: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)
• In fact, Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses
• his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:23-25)
• We not only share in the sufferings of Christ, we also share in suffering with one another. For if one part of the Body suffers, every part suffers (1 Corinthians 12:26).
• We are to “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourself were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3)
• Paul wrote to the Corinthians a bout sharing one another’s suffering: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
• “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

GATES MADE OF PEARLS

When John saw the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband, the twelve gates of that city were named after the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 21:12). Further, “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.” (Revelation 21:21)

Pearls, as you know, are formed by pain. When a piece of gravel or other irritant gets inside the oyster’s shell, the oyster then slowly secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin to cover the irritant and thus lessen the pain. This is the way that pearls are formed. Pearls are valuable because they are rare. Experts tell us that only one in 10,000 oysters will produce a pearl.

Here is the way that the followers of Jesus died without every denying His resurrection!

• Matthew suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia being killed by a sword.
• Mark died in Alexandria, Egypt by being dragged through the streets by horses.
• Luke was hanged in Greece.
• John was placed in a basis of boiling oil, but was miraculously delivered from death. Then he was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos where he received visions recorded in the book of Revelation.
• Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ died.
• James, the brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem was thrown over a pinnacle of the Temple, and when he was still alive they beat him to death with a fuller’s club.
• James the Son of Zebedee was beheaded in Jerusalem.
• Bartholomew, also known as Nathaniel, was beaten to death in Armenia with a whip.
• Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he died.
• Thomas was stabbed to death with a spear in India.
• Jude was killed with arrows.
• Matthias who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.
• Paul was tortured and then beheaded by the Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67.

YOUR OWN PERSONAL CROSS IS NECESSARY

Jesus said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26)

God does not permit us to shop for a cross that is easy and comfortable! There is no cross like that! The whole purpose of a cross is to produce suffering! Yet, paradoxically, it is by bearing your cross that you will find great joy!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)