“I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my Name”
Acts 9:16
Acts 9 records Paul, following his encounter with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, being three days without sight, fasting, and having a vision of a man named Ananias coming to him, laying his hands on him and regaining his sight.
At the same time we learn this man, Ananias, is having a vision too. The Lord instructs Ananias to go to Paul, assuring Ananias Paul is chosen and will carry the name of Jesus to the Gentiles, Kings and Jews and “showing Him how much he must suffer for my Names sake”.
I think most of us would love to have a supernatural encounter with the Lord Jesus, yet I dare say, we don’t take the time to consider the cost involved in them...
“how much we will suffer for the sake of my name”.
I know when I gave my life to the Lord, this was the furtherest thing from my consideration. We all have these great words and wonderful promises but somehow, in between the start and finish, we miss the processing of being tested and shaped through suffering obedience.
Jesus was a man of sorrow acquainted with grief. Paul knew a life of suffering and persecution and we too are told that these very things await the disciple of Christ. If we truly want to serve the Lord and extend His Kingdom, we must be aware we too will suffer.
Phil 1:29: "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake"
2 Thes 1:5: "This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.”
Let’s look at this word suffer from the Helps word study.
3958 pásxō (a primitive verb) – properly, to feel heavy emotion, especially suffering; affected by experiencing deep, penetrating feeling – literally "sensible" (i.e. "sensed-experience"); "the feeling of the mind, emotion, passion" (J. Thayer).
[3958/pasxō ("experiencing strong feeling") is the root of: 3804/páthēma ("passions, sufferings"), 3805/pathētós ("suffering") and 3806/páthos ("strong feeling, passion").
Christ suffered once for sins, but we know that his body the church still undergoes continual “suffering” and hardships which Paul says he rejoices in the opportunity to fill up what may be lacking.
Colossians 1:24 I rejoice at what I am suffering for your sake, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s affections for the sake of his body which is the church.
I don’t know that I’m always willing to engage in the emotional anguish that comes with relationships and service in ministry much less rejoice in it. Yet James tells us without this place of counting it all joy there is no growth in us, no fruit through us and the Kingdom is not extended by our work.
This is certainly a day to reevaluate opportunities and choices so that we do not fail to bring up what is lacking. Charles Spurgeon said, "I am certain that I never did grow in grace one-half so much anywhere as I have upon the bed of pain.l
In conclusion there are things I’m sure the Lord is quite willing to reveal, I guess the real question would be my willingness to hear or see them ~
1 Pet 3:13-16: "Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. and do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ will be put to shame.”