The Prophetic Word-Days 53 thru 58: Sharing his reproach

The Prophetic Word

Day 53: It’s an honor to share His reproach.

In preparation for our discussion over the next five days, please carefully read and meditate on the following scriptures:

““If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”

John 15:18-21 NLT

“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”

Hebrews 11:24-26 NKJV

“Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.”

Hebrews 13:12-14 NKJV

“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead.”

1 Peter 4:1-5 NLT

The apostles actually rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer with Christ. How were they able to have such an attitude? How is reproach ever an honor? We will begin our investigation into this tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 54: Reproach is to be expected.

“There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.”

1 Corinthians 16:9 NLT

As the time grew near that Jesus would be offered up He prepared His disciples for what they would now face. He explained that the same people who persecuted Him, would persecute them as well.

““If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”

John 15:18-21 NLT

Yes, the disciples were to expect persecution from the world because they were no longer a part of the world system.

Indeed, the Lord reiterates concerning the hatred the disciples would face, as He prayed the priestly prayer on their behalf:

“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.”

John 17:14-16 NLT

You see, the world rejects all who are not under its sway. Indeed, even former friends still aligned with the world, will become tools of the evil one by attacking us.

“Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.”

1 Peter 4:4 NLT

It’s comforting to know that just as the Lord prayed that His disciples would be kept safe from the evil one, He was, as well, praying for all of us who would also believe!

““I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.”

John 17:20 NLT

In our opening scripture we see Paul commenting that although he had a great opportunity for ministry, there was also great opposition coming at him.

Now, the place Paul was referencing in terms of the great door of opportunity, was Ephesus. And, Ephesus was a large center for idol worship.

Because of the fact that Paul and the disciples were preaching that there were no gods made with hands, Demetrius, a silversmith, stirred up a frenzied riot! (See Acts 19)

Think about it: Everything we stand for when standing with our Lord, is a threat to the world system. Because, not only is the practice of sin a great means of controlling people, it also brings in a lot of money. So, those of us standing with Christ, will necessarily face persecution from the world system which sees those who are with the Lord as a threat to its very existence. And, so it should.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 55: Sharing His reproach is to be desired.

“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”

Hebrews 11:24-26 NKJV

Peter and some of the other apostles had defied the command of the religious leaders that they not speak in the name of Jesus Christ. So, the religious leaders severely beat them and then let them go.

“…They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.””

Acts 5:40-42 NLT

Having been released, we see the incredible statement made that they went out “rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.”

Now, this type of statement goes contrary to two of the strongest desires common to most people: the desire to be accepted and the desire to avoid pain. Yet, these disciples deliberately made themselves a target of disapproval and the resulting physical abuse. It seems that knowing they were suffering because of Christ, made them welcome the suffering as an honor!

Indeed, James declared that suffering for the sake of Christ—in any way—should bring joy!

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

James 1:2 NKJV

This sentiment was also shared by Paul.

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,…,”

Romans 5:3a NKJV

“And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything….”

2 Timothy 2:9-10a NLT

One of the most amazing statements made by Paul concerning his suffering is found in his letter to the Colossians:

“I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.”

Colossians 1:24 NLT

In President John Kennedy’s inaugural address (1961) he made the now famous statement: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Indeed, countless numbers of Jesus’ followers have been willing to not only ask what they can do for, but ask what they can suffer for, the sake of Christ. Yes, Paul expressed that he welcomed the suffering he was enduring for the Church.

In our opening scripture we see that Moses chose to endure affliction along with God’s people, rather “than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.”

Yesterday we discussed how being reproached for Christ is to be expected. Today we see that it is not only to be expected, but to be desired. Tomorrow we will look into the great benefits associated with suffering with/for Christ.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 56: Sharing His reproach leads to sharing His glory.

““You have stayed with me in my time of trial. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Luke 22:28-30 NLT

There’s an old children’s story about the little red hen who wanted to make a cake. Now, as she set out to do the tasks necessary for the making of the cake, she tried to solicit the help of the other animals; but, they all refused. However, when it came time for the eating of the cake, of course, they all wanted to help eat it. But, because they had not helped in the preparation, they were not allowed to help in the consumption.

This is a simple little story; but it presents a great truth in terms of those who will share in Christ’ glory.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”

I Peter 4:12-14 NKJV

Indeed, those who are unwilling to suffer for the sake of Christ will not be allowed to share in His glory.

““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV

Make no mistake, reproach doesn’t feel good; but it is temporary. However, the reward is eternal!

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”

II Corinthians 4:17 NKJV

In our opening scripture we see Jesus telling His disciples that because of the fact that they remained His disciples through hard times, they would be given the privilege of ruling with Him.

Now, although ruling over the 12 tribes of Israel was a promise exclusive to them, ruling and reigning with Christ is a promise to ALL who follow after Him and are willing to bear the approach of doing so.

“So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.”

2 Timothy 2:10-12 NLT

Let us not allow the fear of reproach in this life, rob us of the eternal glory awaiting those who will endure until the end.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.”

Hebrews 10:35-39 NLT

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 57: Suffering with Him strengthens us spiritually.

“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.”

1 Peter 4:1-3 NLT

In Bible days gold was refined by being subjected to fire. In the fire the impurities would rise to the surface where the refiner could easily skim them off. Indeed, it is this very process that Peter used as a metaphor to encourage the dispersed Christians concerning the trials they were facing.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT

Think about it, if we gladly submit ourselves to the suffering and reproach coming because of Christ, the Lord will use that to remove what keeps us mixed with our old ways of being and doing. The end result is a faith, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, that is unwavering.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Romans 5:3-5 NLT

In our opening scripture we see that Peter is exhorting the people to allow the suffering they endure with Christ to enable them to be completely finished with their own ways of being and doing, yes, completely finished with sin!

Let’s look at part of that scripture in another translation:

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],”

1 Peter 4:1 AMP

Yesterday we discussed how sharing the afflictions of Christ leads to sharing His glory. Today we see that the suffering can actually be used to purify us so that we will more perfectly reflect the Lord. As such, our light will shine more brightly in this world. As well, we are also being strengthened to face the next trial that may come our way!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 58: It’s the cost of discipleship.

“Remember [and continue to remember] that I told you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these [hurtful] things to you for My name’s sake [because you bear My name and are identified with Me], for they do not know the One who sent Me.”

John 15:20-21 AMP

When the time drew near for Jesus to be offered up, He began to talk openly with His disciples about what must happen to Him, what He must suffer. Peter, hearing this, took Jesus aside to say that these things must not happen to Him.

“But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on things of God, but on things of man.””

Matthew 16:23 AMP

Having rebuked Peter, Jesus turned to His disciples and told them very succinctly the cost of discipleship:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

Matthew 16:24-25 NLT

Think about it, Jesus willingly gave up His royal throne to come and be abused by/for those whom He came to seek and to save.

“I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.”

Isaiah 50:6 NLT

“He was despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and pain and acquainted with grief; And like One from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or esteem Him. But [in fact] He has borne our griefs, And He has carried our sorrows and pains; Yet we [ignorantly] assumed that He was stricken, Struck down by God and degraded and humiliated [by Him]. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, each one, to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] To fall on Him [instead of us]. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth [to complain or defend Himself]; Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before her shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”

Isaiah 53:3-7 AMP

Yes, Jesus willingly—and without complaint—carried our cross. He paid for our sin, and did so gladly.

The cross we must bear is not for our sins. The cross we bear is the reproach of being identified with Him. Yes, our obedience and faithfulness to Christ is an offense to those who belong to the world!

In our opening scripture we revisit the Lord’s instruction to His disciples concerning what they would suffer. He basically tells them that His willingness to suffer must be shared by His disciples. Indeed, it’s the cost of discipleship.

Suffering with Christ is an honor; and, it is an honor with great benefits. But the main reason we should faithfully endure reproach—or any other persecution for His name’s sake—is that He suffered first…for us.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!