Suffering in Light of the Promise

Mark 10:28-34

There is a sweet truth to be found in the dialogue of this passage. After Jesus prescribes that the rich young ruler need only to sell all that he has in order to enter into eternal life (an offer which he refused), Peter pipes up to point out that he and the rest had “left everything and followed” Him (v. 28). In the context, it seems as though Peter is looking for a pat on the back.

And Jesus gives him one! Spiritual prudes beware! It appears that Jesus rarely blushes in the face of those hungry for kingdom treasures.

But even as Jesus affirms Peter that anyone who has left those precious relationships and belongings for His sake will receive a hundredfold in return, He mentions that it will come in this life “along with persecutions” (v. 30). This is a promise of bittersweet. That which is surrendered to God is returned afresh to the one who released it, though not without difficulties. How many of us have experienced this reality in our lives with Him?

(Even still, Jesus rounds out this statement with the ultimate promise of eternal life.)

Next, Jesus predicts His own death. It is perhaps so familiar to us as to become cliché. But notice the breadth of Jesus’ prediction: He doesn’t end at death; He carries it out all the way to resurrection. It’s not too difficult a thing to expect death, but it requires enormous faith to anticipate a near-immediate resurrection. He had an expectation of tremendous suffering coupled with the hope of tremendous vindication to follow. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame.” Why? “For the joy set before Him”! Hope gave strength to resolve in order that He might suffer according to the will of God and be brought through victoriously.

Likewise, we ought to consider this element of Christ’s life in order that we may be strengthened in our resolve to suffer for righteousness. And here is our hope: That suffering and hardship in this life is not without purpose and value for the life to come. We must endure it, and indeed perhaps expect it even; yet there will be an end to it. And with that end, we might be so bold as to expect from Him reward (I Corinthians 3:14 ; II Corinthians 4:17-18; James 1:12). Wisely, the Scriptures leave the nature of these rewards vague – perhaps so that we do not make them into idols, and so that we will treasure the Lord above all else.

Therefore, although we must accept that we will face suffering in this life as we follow after Christ Jesus, we have hope in the promise of God for marvelous recompense in the life beyond in His glorious presence. There is purpose to our hardship; there is value. One day we will see it all plainly.