suffering for you

Friday, January 16, 2009

Ephesians 3:1-13
Mark 2:13-22

So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (Eph. 3:13)

Paul implies in this short verse that suffering not only has its place in a gospel-centered life, but is part of its very working out. This verse refers to the previous twelve verses specifically ("So..."), and perhaps much further. Paul's declaring the mystery, imparted by revelation, of the inclusion of all peoples in God's restoration project, gathering his family in his Son, has the double effect of displaying the mystery of God's plan which was to display His manifold wisdom through the church to principalities and powers in heavenly places.

My friend Dave was sharing with me recently about the "theology of the cross" and the "theology of glory." I think this understanding of Ephesians three would be articulated in the theology of the cross. Paul seems to locate his suffering as part of the proclamation, it is tangibly in his body what the message declares: God, through the weakness and humility of his Servant has brought new life and new creation; through unjust suffering, submitting to earthly powers (courts, soldiers, governors...) God has brought deliverance and freedom - and exposed those earthly and "heavenly" powers as wicked and idolatrous.

Newbigin (again) addresses this in that wonderful chapter, "Christ, the Clue to History," in his "The Gospel in a Pluralist Society." The church's ministry will be like Jesus' ministry: suffering, misunderstanding, humility, with signs of glory attending as it seeks to heal the hurting...

God uses our suffering for his glory, and ours - through the One who humbled himself, suffered and died on our behalf, who was vindicated in his victory, and is continuing to unite all things through his church as it walks in his footsteps -