Peter the
apostle told the Christians who were “scattered” they
should not “think it” “strange concerning the fiery trial
which is to try” them, “as though some strange thing
happened unto” them, and in chapter four and verse thirteen of
his letter, Peter told them by doing so, they were “partakers of
Christ's sufferings” where we read:
But
rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that,
when his
glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
The verse begins, “But
rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings;”
Peter began
with the word “But”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was previously stated, “moreover,
notwithstanding and nonetheless” “rejoice”
which means “be glad, be well and thrive”, “inasmuch
as” or
“according to what, as, in so far as and so far forth” “you
are partakers”
which in Greek is the word “koinōneō”
and means “to come into communion or
fellowship with, to become a sharer and be made a partner”
“of Christ's”
which refers to “the anointed, Messiah and Son of God”
“sufferings”
or “the afflictions which Christians must undergo in behalf of he
same cause which Christ patiently endured”. When Christians go
through “sufferings”,
they have “koinōneō”
and
identify
with Jesus Christ in His “sufferings”
while on earth.
The
verse goes on to say, “that, when his
glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
Peter
continued with the word, “that”
which means “in order that”, “when
his glory”
or “at the time when his opinion, judgment, view, estimate,
splendor and brightness” “shall be
revealed”
which is the Greek word “apokalypsis”and
means
“laid bare, naked, disclosure of the truth, instruction and
concerning things before unknown”, “you
may be glad”
which means “may rejoice exceedingly, be well and thrive” “also”
or “even and indeed” “with
exceeding joy”
or “over and abounding exultation and happiness ”. The reason
Christians are to “rejoice”
in “sufferings”
is so when Jesus' “glory”
and “splendor” is revealed, they will be “over and abundantly
exulted” with Him.
When
we think through Peter's words, we should see the temporal nature of
“sufferings” on earth as compared with the eternal
benefits of “rejoicing exceedingly” when Jesus' “glory” is
revealed. Let's face it, “sufferings” in this life are not
easy, but when we go through them, we identify with Jesus and His
sufferings. This shall have eternal benefits when Jesus fully reveals
the “splendor and brightness” that belongs to Him. May we rely
upon the Lord Jesus to help us in our present “sufferings”,
and may He remind us daily that our “sufferings” will not
be endured in vain.
Next
time Peter tells the Christians what they should do if they are
“reproached for the name of Christ”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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