Expect to suffer as you walk with Jesus

Hebrews 10:32-33 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. The author of Hebrews was aware of the good testimony of his original recipients. When they first started following Jesus, there was no honeymoon period. Once the light of Christ shined on them and they saw and believed that He was God, they experienced what Jesus prophesied to His disciples in John 15:20 and 16:1-2.  Remember the word that I said to you, “A slave is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They (meaning the things Jesus had spoken to them) will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. The Hebrew recipients of this letter had suffered because of their faith in Christ. Some were publicly shamed and persecuted while others suffered because they were identified with them. The author reminded them of how well they received these hardships. Let me remind you of what the author said back in chapter 5 about how Jesus was heard by His Father because of His piety. He received well the suffering that came from obeying His Father’s will. (5:7-9). The author went on to say that receiving suffering well as an opportunity to display what is good for the glory of God was a sign of maturity in Christ.  So we can see the connection between the writer’s explanation of maturity and the testimony of many to whom he wrote. In these verses, we see another example of maturity. When they first believed, they willingly embraced suffering for Jesus’ name's sake, whether it was personally or as a result of loving their brothers and sisters in Christ.  For us, there may be times on this journey of living to love with Jesus that you will suffer public humiliation and insult and be reviled and severely tested. When that comes, the temptation is to back off, lay down, quit, and run for cover. That’s when we need most to draw near to God to receive mercy and grace so we can continue loving in Jesus’ name. That’s when we need more stimulation and encouragement to love and good deeds.  If you are going through a tough time, I encourage you not to give up or retreat from living to love with Jesus. Receive well what our Father has for you, and love everyone He puts in your path, even if they are adversaries. We should expect to suffer for Jesus’ name's sake, so when we see our brothers and sisters suffering, let’s be sure to join them in their suffering and express Jesus’ love.