Trials

A hurdle that the Christian must realize is that trial and tribulation will embed his or her life.  This message is throughout the Bible.  Not only did Christ say it Himself (cf. John 16:1-4 in the introduction), but so did the New Testament authors.  The author of Hebrews states that trials are used by God to discipline His children (Heb. 12:5-11).  Pastor James MacDonald explains that this is a discipline that develops maturity as opposed to a discipline of punishment.  James, the brother of Jesus, claims that trials and tribulation develop character.  “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4 ESV).  The Apostle Paul writes to the Roman church that everything that happens, good or bad, will ultimately glorify God.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28 ESV).  Even Peter, whom Christ gave the charge to start the church, has plenty to say on trials.  “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV).  This concept was not new in the first century church, as a matter of fact; there is plenty about suffering in the Old Testament as well.  The book of Job is the epitome of a case study for trials and tribulation.  In it, the author states “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23:10 ESV).  

It is easy to write all these concepts down and order others to do so; it is another story to carry it out.  There is a colloquial saying that asks “you can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?”  It is important to examine the lives of those who suffered, especially those in the Scripture, to get clarity.  First, even Jesus (God who came to Earth) was subject to pain and suffering.  Hebrews 2:17-18 states, 

“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (ESV).

Jesus not only suffered the same trials as other people butsuffered more than anyone before Him and no one has suffered in the same way since.  Jesus was hated by the most religious people around, He was falsely accused of blasphemy, His friends left Him when He was in the most trouble (one of them betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver), He was subject to a kangaroo court, a murderer received a pardon instead of Him, He was beaten, He was whipped, forced to carry His own cross, suffered crucifixion (a death that was too brutal for Roman citizens), He took the weight of sin upon Himself (2 Cor. 5:21), and was forsaken by God the Father (Mark 15:34).  No one has suffered as Christ did.  In His example, His followers suffered as well.  It is believed that all the apostles were martyred (except for John).  It is church tradition that Peter was crucified upside-down.  Paul suffered, 

“…imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods.Once I was stoned.  Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.  And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:23-28 ESV).

It is also tradition that Paul was beheaded by order of Nero.  There are stories about the martyrdom of all the apostles throughout church tradition, but only one is confirmed by Scripture.  “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.  He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.  This was during the days of Unleavened Bread” Acts 12:1-3 ESV).  Herod singled out the apostles to kill at this time (Bruce 233), possibly because the Jewish people and leadership hated him (Gallagher 159).  James was one of Christ’s closest disciples and was the first apostle to be martyred.  Roman historian, Eusebius, saw the bravery and steadfastness of the martyrs of the early church as a proof of Christian virtue; even many pagans were impressed (Stark 165).  With these examples of the suffering of Christ and His apostles, the Christian must examine if their life is one that is ready to suffer just as Christ did, or is it one of comfort and complacency. 

I love you all,

Justin

Sources:

Bruce, F. F. The Book of the Acts. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1988. Print. The New

International Commentary on the New Testament.

Stark, Rodney. The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries. San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco, 1997. Print.