Suffering, then Glory

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

From poverty to persecution, from lack to loss – these form the warp and woof of the godly man. Now, let us have a moment of honesty. Who would count these as blessings? The worldly-wise man says that these are curses, not blessings! Herman Melville once said, “I am a man who, from his youth upwards, has been filled with the profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best.” Far from profound, this conviction is common. The world’s motto is: “your best life now;” but this slogan is a far cry from the profound wisdom of our Savior.

If we look at the words and wisdom of Christ, we find a very simple pattern – suffering, then glory. Christ “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him.” He was poor in spirit, depending upon His Father. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He was “gentle and lowly,” stooping down to the foulest of men. He hungered and thirst after righteousness, tasting even death. He was merciful, restoring one who betrayed Him. He was pure, refusing the sin of this world. He was a peacemaker, making through His body on the cross. He was persecuted for righteousness’ sake, ending any hope of a “best life now.” Therefore, God has exalted Him above every name.

Do you see the pattern? Suffering, then glory. As Thomas Boston says, “The Father was so well pleased with this method, in the case of his own Son, that it was determined to be followed, and just copied over and over again in the case of all the heirs of glory (Rom. 8:29).” With such glory before us, it should be of no surprise that Christians of old defied emperors, kissed stakes, sang in the flames, and rejoiced with joy inexpressible and filled with glory.

As we turn the page on the Beatitudes, I leave us all with one simple reminder: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17) Pride and plenty may earn you a kingdom on earth, but not a kingdom in heaven. Written in blood-drawn lines, we find suffering, then glory.

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Strive for Peace