When Saul of Tarsus is confronted on the road to Damascus by the risen Lord Jesus Christ, he is told that he has been 'persecuting Jesus'. A few days later, a follower of Jesus is sent to lay hands on Saul and pray for him. When this follower expresses misgivings, he is told that Saul has been praying and that God has revealed to him what he must suffer for Jesus sake.
The story of Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor of the church who after his conversion is known as Paul the apostle cannot be separated from this theme of suffering. What is clear from this passage and the later declarations of Paul in many places is that the 'suffering' of individual christians and the 'suffering' of Christ cannot be separated.
It is the expectation of Christians that we will suffer for the sake of Christ - that is, for no reason other than that we are faithful to Jesus and declaring the good news of forgiveness of sins; yet even as we suffer, we discover that Jesus suffers with us.
Is that true? Can a part of my body be wounded while I remain unscathed? No, if my hand or foot is injured, I am injured. So it is also with Christ. Because we follow him, we will suffer; but we will never suffer alone, for he suffers with his church.
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