Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
[I want to know Christ—] yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings…
Summary: Suffering and resurrection are bound together in this passage. One leads to the other.
The day Jesus died is confusing because so much was happening at the time. Consider, for a moment, all the threads associated with that day.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:10b – The Day Jesus Died”
… that I may gain Christ and be found in him…
Summary: In this passage, Paul touches on the keystone of Christian living.
What does it mean to “gain Christ?”
Paul is going to tell us in great detail. He begins his explanation with the following words:
Continue reading “Philippians 3:8c-9a – Found in Jesus”
… by taking the very nature of a servant,
Summary: This passage provides a critical description of Jesus’ character. Understanding Jesus requires that we try to understand what it means to have the “nature of a servant.”
To avoid using his “equality with God” as an advantage, Jesus did things that run counter to our natural instincts for self-preservation. One of those things was “taking the very nature of a servant.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:7b – The Nature of a Servant”
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.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:29 – Suffering for Jesus”
… what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Summary: It turns out that Paul’s statement about deliverance is not as simple as it sounds. Exploring the possible meanings of the word opens doors to better understanding our role as Christians.
What does Paul need to be delivered from?
The easy answer to this question is that Paul is in prison, and he wants to be released, free to pursue his mission of spreading the Gospel. Unfortunately, that doesn’t feel very satisfying.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:19b – Deliverance”
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
Summary: Comparing ourselves to Paul puts our own experiences in an interesting light.
Most of us have had a bad day now and then, but very few of us have ever had bad days like Paul’s bad days.
Imagine going to work and ending up in prison — for years! Or, you are just minding your own business, trying to do your job, and somebody stirs up a riot against you. Before you get to your first coffee break, soldiers grab you and drag you off to be flogged or beaten with rods. Then, just before you clock out for the day, an angry crowd gathers around you, physically carrying you outside the city limits while simultaneously beating you up on the way. Once outside the city, they all pick up rocks and throw them at you until, bruised and bleeding, you black out from the pain (2 Corinthians 11:21-27).
Continue reading “Philippians 1:12 – Paul’s Bad Day”… for each one should carry their own load.
Summary: Just a few verses ago Paul told us to “carry each other’s burdens.” Now he says “each one should carry their own load.” We need to untangle his words to understand their meanings.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:5 – Jackson’s Burden”I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Summary: There is a relationship between our suffering and our faith. As we look at Paul’s suffering and his attitude towards it, we can learn a lot about what it means to walk in faith.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:13 – The Glory of Suffering”I became a servant of this gospel …
Summary: Being a servant is not a glorious occupation. In fact, it can be downright degrading and physically painful. Yet, being in the service of the gospel is serving the Lord, and isn’t that what we really need to be about?
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:7a (II) – Serving the Lord”
… after you have suffered a little while …
Summary: Peter uses the word “suffering” throughout his letter. What the context of this letter tells us is that choosing to serve God rather than our flesh creates tension with the flesh. We call this tension ”suffering.“
Continue reading “1 Peter 5:10 (c) — Thorns”