For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him…
Summary: Understanding the suffering Paul asks us to do for Christ requires that we look past our own pride and love as Christ loves.
I don’t know about you, but the idea of suffering has never appealed to me. Of course, there are different kinds of suffering. The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 is a good illustration of this.
At the beginning of the story, the younger son decides to leave home because he is suffering. Unfortunately for him, he is suffering from a spiritual blindness that puts him at odds with his father. When he leaves home, he thinks he is free from suffering until reality crowds in and reveals the truth.
The truth is that without his father’s love, he has nothing. He has no friends, no one to care for him, and no way to care for himself.
Meanwhile, his father is suffering, too.
When the younger son leaves, his father suffers rejection. This is not a matter of pride for the father, but love. He loves his son and when the son leaves, he leaves behind a father who grieves as if his son had died.
Both of them are suffering. The son suffers because of his pride. The father suffers because it hurts him to know that his son is hurting himself.
When the son comes to his senses, he returns home. His pride is gone and he knows he is not worthy of anything from his father. Instead, all he dares hope for is a place alongside his father’s hired help. Perhaps he can, at least, find rest and a meal in exchange for work.
So far, in this story, the father has suffered insult, demands for money, and a cold shoulder from his son. He has every “right” to be angry, resentful, and vengeful. Instead, when he sees his son coming home he suffers humiliation in his older son’s eyes by welcoming his younger son home.
In this story, the father’s suffering is the kind Jesus asks of us.
It is true that many believers suffer physically, even to the point of death, but that is not the only kind of suffering. Like the father, we suffer for Christ when we continue to love people even though they’ve turned their back on Jesus. Like the father, we suffer when we overlook people’s faults when they want to return home to Father.
All of us have suffered because of our pride. Now, as believers, it is our job to suffer on behalf of Jesus, the hurt of rejection, and the humiliation of welcoming prodigals when they come home.
Application: Consider putting up with others’ shortcomings as a personal challenge from the Lord (Matthew 7:12).
Food for Thought: How would the story have ended differently if the prodigal’s father had been angry and condescending when his son returned?
How would the story have ended differently if the prodigal’s father had been angry and condescending when his son returned?
Things could have spiraled into worst things. Why pay evil back with evil. What father would give his son a snake if he asked for bread? Yet there are some fathers that are of this world.
Tim,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts today. Sadly, what you say is true about “some fathers.” Yet, the joy of discovering we have a spiritual Father makes up for all the hurt.
The story would have been no different than what the world does every day. It would have lost its exceptionalism.
Matthew 5: 43 – 48: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor i and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Thank you, Rich!
“What the world does every day” is indeed why we need a Savior so desperately.
The central theme of the story is that God’s love and forgiveness is unconditional. Had the father reacted in anger and condescension, the theme would have changed to the son needing to earn forgiveness, “win back favor,” and that his trespasses would be held over him regardless.
Also, the brother would have a behavior modeled for him that would come back and cause strife between the two brothers in the future. He would have probably thought of himself as “better than” his brother, “more deserving.”
Chris,
You make an important point. The love of our Father, God, is unconditional. The “love” of a father who demands we earn forgiveness is transactional. That is not actually love.
Thank you!
How would the story have ended differently if the prodigal’s father had been angry and condescending when his son returned?
The sons humble return to his father, admission of the wrong he had committed against his father would have been rejected by his father, and this would be contrary to all God is.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34
Thank you, Ron!
The contrast, as you point out, is stark!