Day 36- Sharing in His Suffering, Rising in His Power!
Scripture:
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.- 2 Cor 4:8-9
Devotional:
These verses powerfully reflect the sufferings of Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was spiritually and emotionally crushed under the weight of our sin. As He knelt to pray, sweat mingled with blood fell from His brow. The pressure was immense, not just from what He would endure physically, but from carrying the full burden of our guilt, shame, and separation from God.
He was betrayed by a kiss, arrested like a criminal, and abandoned by His closest friends. He was falsely accused, mocked, beaten until He was unrecognizable, and nailed to a cross by the very ones He came to redeem. Yet, He was not destroyed.
On the third day, Jesus rose victorious over sin, death, and the grave. His resurrection wasn't just a comeback; it was a cosmic declaration that suffering never has the final word.
In Gethsemane, we see not only the divinity of Christ but His deep humanity. He didn’t shy away from anguish. He cried out, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me.” Yet in the same breath, He surrendered fully: “Not My will, but Yours be done.”
That moment of surrender became the gateway to salvation for us all. Christ’s obedience through suffering is not only admirable, it’s transformational. It reminds us that when we are hard pressed, confused, or struck down, we are not defeated. We are partakers in His suffering and therefore, in His glory.
Let His resurrection be your reminder: your pain has purpose, your trials have meaning, and you too can rise victoriously.
Reflection & Sharing:
In what area of your life do you feel like giving up? How does remembering Christ’s suffering and His resurrection give you the strength to endure?
2 Comments
I have been known to be the optimistic one, the one who says.... Hang in there. It will be all right.... I have always been able to comfort anyone but when my back is against the wall, I tend to put on my tough girl image, put on my big girl bloomers, sat on the porch with the big dogs and try to blend in and look invisible but deep down inside I am aching and wishing that I didn't have to deal with life. Knowing that Yeshua Messiah felt some of the same feelings I have felt has drawn me closer to him. The Word teaches that He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities. He feels my pain. Knowing this makes me love Him even more. Knowing that Yeshua went through his time of anguish makes my situations pale in comparison. Thank you Lord.
In life, we expect to go from mountain top to mountain top, oh, wouldn’t that be sweet! But between those peaks lie valleys, and it’s in the valley where the real testing happens. It’s where we suffer, where we’re crushed, perplexed, and overwhelmed. In those moments, I’ve cried out, “Lord, why me?”
At my lowest, when chaos was surrounding every area of my life, I found myself echoing the words of Jesus in Gethsemane: “Father, if it be Your will, remove this cup from me. Yet not my will, but Yours be done.”
I used to surrender only halfway then take it back, trying to bargain with God. Now, I’ve come to truly know Him, not just His blessings, but His sufferings. In that knowing, I’ve found resurrection power. The same power that raised Christ from the grave is at work in me, assuring me that I too will rise again. The mountain top will come.
Yes, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. By His strength, His power, and His might, I am never defeated, I am more than a conqueror.
So I throw up my hands, not in defeat, but in surrender. I lift my voice and say, Hallelujah!!!