Suffering and Seeing God’s Glory
1 Peter 4:12-19
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [1 Peter 4:13, NIV]
Suffering for God’s glory is bittersweet. The bitterness is the suffering; the sweetness is God’s glory. Remember Gethsemane: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done.”
What was it that allowed Jesus to willingly endure such suffering? Some would say, “Well, He was God.” True, but He also was fully man and experienced the full brutality of the Cross and total darkness of sin. “He took upon Himself the thing ‘sin’ itself.” [McGee] Our Lord suffered the utmost! However, what followed was glory!
Jesus foretold His disciples, “The Son of Man must suffer many things…and be raised on the third day” [ref. Matt 16:21; Mk 8:31; Lk 9:22; 24:46]. The suffering came first; the raising [the glory] followed.
It is for the child of God as well. What precedes experiencing the full glory of our Lord is a life of trials, tribulation, and yes, suffering. Suffering precedes glory. But we must remember; the glory is sure to come!
But notice, too, that suffering fuels ministry, “suffering for righteousness’ sake” [1 Pet 3:14]. A good testimony is a catalyst for ministry. The very word “testimony” is the Greek martyreo, where we get our English word martyr.
The Persecuted Church knew well the suffering that precedes glory, and this, too, was Peter’s perspective and experience.
It is the same for us today. Suffering is not the end; it is a means to glory.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake in Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” [1 Pet 4:12-13]
