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A Good Friday thought

I was discussing martyrdom and suffering with my husband the other day, then the conversation shifted to Good Friday. And a thought occurred to me.

Why is it that in the American church, we come together on Good Friday, and we discuss the sufferings of Christ – we may shed a few tears thinking of what He did for us, and may express our thankfulness – but we totally miss what Jesus is looking back at us and saying…
“Yes, I did that for you. But I want the same from you!”

We completely overlook suffering – the fact that we are called to share in the “fellowship of His suffering” (Phil. 3:10). He told us to take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23). He told us to go to the nations and make disciples. He didn’t say, “Go to the safe nations to make disciples.”

As Americans, we have been thankful for our “safe” Christianity. But here’s a question… if Christianity is safe, convenient, and lacks persecution & suffering, are we really living like Christ has asked us to? Are we being fully obedient?

Suffering. Martyrdom. Risk. Abandonment. Persecution.
THAT is Christianity.
But oh the rewards on the other side. He is so worth it all.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I love you Michelle. :) I haven't commented much on the blog, but just thought you should know, I love reading your heart. Miss you!
February 27, 2012 at 3:14 PM
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