Focus: All for Love

Text: Phil.3:10

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS being made conformable unto his death."

Peter tells us about the "sufferings of Christ" (1Pet.1:11; 4:13; 5:1). The author of Hebrews, in Heb.2:11, says Christ was "made perfect through sufferings." Paul, in 2Cor.1:5, talks about "the sufferings of Christ" abounding in us, and in verse 7, calls on us to be "partakers of the sufferings." Paul also, in Col.1:24, tells us of the "afflictions of Christ." And again, the writer of Hebrews tells us, in Heb.12:3, that our Lord "endured the contradiction of sinners."

Our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to suffer and die. But why the sufferings? Let me say at once that Christ didn't suffer because suffering was something sweet and pleasant. No! As another has rightly said, "Life is tough, but it is tougher when you are stupid." Jesus certainly didn't suffer for being stupid and careless. He didn't suffer for self, like suffering to achieve fame or vain glory. He didn't suffer to show muscle, nor to prove any point of being capable. He didn't suffer for any personal sins in His life. Indeed, He lived a sinless life. He knew no sin, did no sin, and there was no guile found in His mouth. No, not at all!

Jesus suffered by choice, not by force. He chose the path of suffering and sacrifice. He was rich, but became poor. He was righteous, but was numbered with transgressors. He was guilty of no crime, but was labeled as a criminal and crucified among thieves. He was misunderstood, insulted, scorned, mocked, beaten, battered and abused. He was called 'crazy' and termed as 'demon-possessed.' He suffered beyond description and battered beyond recognition - utterly dehumanized. He suffered unjustly in the hands of unjust men. The cross was the height of His suffering.

But I am still asking, why the sufferings? I know you want to know. Now here is the answer: Jesus Christ our Lord suffered for love. The cross is the effect of love. The cross was prompted by love. It was an expression, manifestation and demonstration of love. The cross was God's love in action. He died for love, and rose from the dead, still loving. His sufferings were for love. He couldn't have suffered were it not for love. Love involves suffering. Love is costly, not cheap at all! Loving is much more than giving away something; it is giving of one's self. The Father gave His only Son, and the Son gave Himself on the cross. And it was all for love.

While we were sinners and enemies of God He died for us. He changed our lives by His love. For love He died our deaths, destroyed our enemy, and delivered us from all yokes of bondage - yokes of sin, death and the devil. It was all for love.

The cross is now the principle of our Christian faith and life. The cross is the symbol of love. We live to love and die loving, and in loving we suffer with and for others. We lighten the world through our love. With love in our hearts we bless even while we bleed.

God only rewards sufferings of love. All other suffering are wastes. They lack eternal life span. Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, still bearing the nail prints on His hands and feet, and also on His pierced side. Those are the scars of love, and they last forever. It's all for love. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter