Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the eighth step of spiritual ascension, which is suffering and sacrifice. It represents the climax of spiritual ascension. It’s actually suffering for Christ, beside the prophets and the martyrs.
For Christ is the representative, the possessor, and the dispenser of justice; and those who are persecuted because of him are happy, for to them is the kingdom of heaven. The 8th bliss which is the summit of spiritual ascension, is presented to us in the present and forms with the first one, two immediate certainties.
It’s an opportunity to recall the promises corresponding to the different shining rays of the glory of the kingdom of heaven, and taught by our Lord Jesus Christ during this sermon : to the afflicted consolation; to the sweet, possession of the earth; to the hungry, satiation; mercy to the merciful; to the pure of heart, the sight of God; to those who bring peace, the title of children of God. Thus can we read the eighth beatitude in Matthew 5:10, ” Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Let’s recall that the basis of the throne of God is justice and equity, as we read in Psalms 97: 2.
Then, let’s mention that the sacrifice as for it, is an offering made to God on the altars by the hand of a legitimate minister, to recognize its power and to pay homage to him. Since men have always been obliged to recognize the sovereign domain of God over their person and who belongs to Him, and there have always been people who have faithfully performed this duty, we can say that there have always been sacrifices in the world.
Thus, Adam and his sons, Noah and his descendants, Abraham and his own, Job and Melchizedek before the law, offered true sacrifices to God. The law has only regulated the quality, the number, and the circumstances of the sacrifices. Since Moses this was handled by the only family of Aaron.
And to conclude this brief reminder of the holy story, let’s mention the link between the Old and the New Testament to say that in front of sin, misfortune and death, nothing is less tearful, nothing is more triumphant than the gospel of Jesus Christ. This serves us as a transition to return to the heart of our theme; which is :
Suffering for Christ, and here are the main verses:
-Mat 10.22 “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
-Mat 16.24-26 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
-Acts 5.41 “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
-Rom 3.25-26 “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
-Rom 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
-Rom 12.1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
-Heb 7.27 “Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”
Heb 9.27-28 “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Heb 9.11-14, 24-26 “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
-Heb 11. 25 “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
-James 5.10 “Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”
-1 Peter 2.4-5, 20 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
-1 Peter 5.10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
-1 Peter 4.10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Then, the trials awaiting those who give themselves for the cause of Christ can be summarized as follows:
– Persecution: Mat 5.11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
-Hate: Mat 10. 22 “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
-Loss of life: Mat 10.39 “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
-The suffering: Acts 9:16 “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
-The loss of reputation: 1 Corinthians 4.10 “We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!”
– Death: 2 Cor 12.10 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
-Philippians 1.20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
In addition, it’s important to note that Christian piety has nourished the beatitudes. Indeed, this is a beautiful, sweet, and loving introduction to the doctrine and preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why in the beatitudes the Savior Jesus, inverting all human values, brings us the secret of happiness. For he also indirectly gives us the most magnificent portrait of himself, since he was fully the poor, the afflicted, the meek, the hungry for justice, the merciful, the pure, the creator of peace, and the persecuted.
Let’s remember to conclude, the suffering of Christ, because he cried three times, during his ministry:
a) Precisely on his people and his city first, when he saw it, on Palm Sunday, from the top of the Mount of Olives. Jesus is shaking with sobs on the city that kills the prophets, on the priesthood that dishonours God, who profanes His worship and will put to death His Messenger, the Savior, stubbornly misunderstood (Luke 19.41 and Luke 13.34).
b) Then, in front of Lazarus’ tomb, he cried, let silent tears flow, deep emotion, among the friends while crying over their disappeared (John 11: 33-35). He showed his sympathy to Martha and Mary for all the victims of the brutal separation, and no doubt also the horror of a world where the reign of sin condemns all men to misery, shame, and death . Fortunately under the new covenant that the Savior brings, where sin has abounded, grace has abounded more.
c) Finally, in the agony of Gethsemane, prayer and supplication are offered with loud cries and tears : this supreme anguish at the sight of his own death, accepted in obedience to his Father and his voluntary solidarity with those for whom the Son of man was to die, to give them salvation and life.
In these three characteristic pictures of the tears of the Lord Jesus, stands on the earth in his divine greatness, the man of pain knowing suffering, as described in Isaiah 53.3, and whose perfect redemptive mission enabled him to declare to his people, from before the consumption of his sacrifice: “Let not your heart be troubled … I give my life … I give eternal life”, beautiful fortifying declarations that we read in John 14.1, John 10.17 and 28.
From the above, all those who choose to lose their lives because of Jesus Christ, find their lives. And we remember that Jesus gave his own life for us. This humility earned him glory from the heavenly Father, to the right of the throne. There is nothing greater than giving one’s life for one’s sheep, and it’s in this that the Lord Jesus is the good shepherd. It’s in this that suffering and sacrifice are the culmination of spiritual ascension. We strengthen you on that with our own prayers.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all adoration, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to your questions and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the windows of the temple of truth, the first of which is influence.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord Almighty.