Passion to Suffer

Acts 9:23-27 After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
 
WHEN Jesus instructed Ananias to go to Saul, Jesus emphasized Saul’s suffering future: Acts 9:16 “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Very soon after that Saul became the object of hatred and murderous plots among the Jews. The apostles also suspected Saul’s motives. But Barnabas (introduced in Acts 4 as a faithful encourager) and others in the church who knew Saul protected and encouraged him. Many years later when Saul – then known as Paul – neared the end of his life, he experienced the same isolation: 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. He wrote this awaiting his execution in Rome. It had been a long, hard journey from Acts 9 to 2 Timothy. Paul describes his physical suffering in 2 Corinthians 11:24-38 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 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. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Jesus, indeed, had shown him how much he must suffer.
   What was the reason for his suffering? Think about this. He truly loved the Lord with his heart, mind, soul and strength. Paul loved Jesus so deeply he was willing to confront every earthly obstacle that attempted to keep him from Jesus’ mission. Paul wouldn’t have suffered in Damascus nor suffered the apostles’ rejection if he had kept his faith to himself. There would have been no beatings, starvation and sleepless nights through the years if he had said, “I have a quiet faith.”
   Paul’s zealous love for Jesus modeled Jesus’ passion for us. After all it was Jesus’ passion for the Father’s will and his zeal for your salvation that led him to suffer the cross.
   Loving Jesus is also the reason countless zealous Christians through the ages became martyrs. They knew one must take up the cross to follow Jesus into eternal life. Suffering for Jesus opens the way for many to be saved.
 
2 Timothy 1:8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.