“NOW I REJOICE in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is the church” (Col. 1:24). “In Christ’s afflictions for the sake of . . . the church”—just what does that mean? Does it mean Christ is afflicted in the afflictions and persecutions of His church? Yes, I’m sure it does. Does it also mean that Christ suffers on account of the church—on account of its being such a poor representation of Him in the world? Yes, I’m sure it does. It means both.
We stress the cross as the suffering of Christ for the world—and rightly. That was once and for all. But what about this continuous suffering He undergoes from those who say they love and bear His name, and yet in that very name do such ugly things? I’ve mentioned a situation where a whole church is divided over the nature of the communion—is it a symbol, or is there a real Presence? The communion is blessedness, but out of this blessedness has come bitterness. Christ bleeds again. The blood drops of Jesus are upon this whole controversy.
In another place there is a court case over the possession of church property. Again He bleeds. Casting lots for His garments and gambling over court decisions for the possession of His property—is there any difference? Little or none! Again He bleeds!
Paul said: “I enter this daily crucifixion of Christ and take my share of His sufferings and bleed for Him. Every nail that goes into His hands goes into mine. I am in Christ and therefore I’m in His sufferings for the church.” Then both Paul and Christ are in a constant state of misery? Oh, no, for there is nothing so absolutely blessed as suffering for and in behalf of others. The heart sings with a strange, wild joy. We put strings across the bars of the cross and make a harp of it. And the music of God is heard.
O Jesus, my Lord, Thou hast given me the privilege not only of being in Thee, but of being in Thy blessed sufferings. My sufferings shall sing. I shall steady the cross with one hand and play my cross-harp with the other. I thank Thee. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I have to bear a cross because of some people in the church. I will remember He bears the cross of all the people in the church.
