In the concluding part of our series, on how problems precede the promised Prize in a believers’ life, let’s consider our role-model…our one and only Saviour…Christ Jesus…
Saviour…
“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Shall I pray, ‘Father, save me from what lies ahead’? But that is the very reason why I came!“ (John 12:27)
The Saviour was set-apart as the World atoning Lamb (1 Peter 1:20/Rev 13:8) even before the foundation of the World was laid. While that was true the fact that, He would reign beside the Father on completion of pain-wrought redemption plan was also fore-ordained. Firstly more about his encounter with injustice and lies.
Consider this Scripture portion….
“…their voices prevailed” (Luke 23:23)
What exactly “prevailed” when the Scripture states that “their voices (seeking His crucifiction) prevailed” (Luke 23:23)?
Stark injustice over justice, blatant lies over truth but to the fore emerged the Son of God’s indescribable patience in the excruciatingly painful ordeal He was going to go through shortly. Later post death by crucifixion, his body lay still in the cold grave for three days. Then finally at God’s appointed time again, if from the prison emerged the greatest Biblical Prime-Minister, if from the “cave” emerged Israel’s greatest ruler, then from the cold, sullen grave stepped out now the God-ordained Saviour….for it was His voluntary painful death alone borne out of His patience which marked Him out to be the “Captain of our Salvation” (Heb 2:10 KJV and TLB) and not his wise teachings or astounding miracles, which in themselves were unmistakably great.
And say Christian are you presently in a God-designed “cocoon” of suffering? Unaware to others, are you in wise God’s “simulated” (He can create ’em) conditions resembling a stifling cocoon? Remember, He is transforming you from an ugly Caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly before putting you in the throne of ruling angels (1 Cor 6:3). Hang on for coming out of the “cocoon” before God’s “appointed time” would result in serious under-development of your “wings”. It is indeed a zoological fact also that, if anyone helps the “struggling” Butterfly whilst emerging from the narrow hole in its cocoon, by cutting open the latter, he would do more harm than good to the beautiful creature, for its “struggle” has been designed by the all wise God in order its body fluid spreads to its wings in this “painful” process, so that they develop perfectly.
It needs to be remembered that while Lord Jesus was speaking to the 7 Churches in Turkey which represents the Church of the last 2000 years (through the ages all the Churches have borne clear resemblance to the 7 mentioned in Rev 2-3), He used strikingly different metaphors to describe their different issues and different precious Heavenly prizes in store but what was strikingly common to ALL of them was the call to be “victorious” (Rev 2:7, 10-11, 17, 26 and 3:5, 12 and 21). What is this victory, if it is not patient endurance till the end of all the persecutions coming our way garbed in the form of lies and injustice from time and time!
Overcoming the temptation (Come down from the Cross chants…Matt 27:39-43) to go in for petty retaliation and subjugation of our tormentors (unlike a pent-up Moses whose hasty action proved very “costly” — See Numbers 20:1-13) even while patiently waiting all the time for liberty to come from Him alone (I Peter 2:20-21/5:10) is what true victory entails. For this, by His grace whilst we exercise spiritually (highly recommended — See I Tim 4:8/Rom 8:26-27), strengthening our inner man (Eph 3:16/Heb 13:9), victory for His glory will be ours, sooner than we think! Hey, our good Lord is also eminently capable of reversing the circumstances completely by transforming the persecutors themselves into benefactors (Sic Dan 3:24-30)! So take heart! Hallelujah!
Prayer: Father, grant us all patience to wait for Your perfect timing in all times, even if it is liberation from all lies and injustice which engulfs your precious Church. We know it is coming. For it we praise Thee in Jesus’ Name. Amen!!!
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “Of Promise, Patience and Prize” mini-series, please click here.)