We don't sign up to suffer. It is not high on our "to do" lists. However, the term "martyr complex" comes from those early Christian saints who actually had a desire to give their lives (literally) for the cause of Christ because that was considered to be the highest honor. To die for Christ was ultimately to be like Christ; and it is still happening today. If you do an internet search for images of Christian martyrdom or suffering in certain parts of the world, you will see very disturbing images. For those who are followers of Christ, these are our brothers and sisters.
Have we fully identified with Jesus? In Luke 9:21-27 Jesus told His disciples that He would have to suffer and be killed, but that He would rise from the dead. I imagine that after He told them about His suffering their minds were already racing so they missed the part about His resurrection - at least the power of it for the moment. He said He would suffer MANY terrible things. For some descriptions read Isaiah 52:14; Isaiah 53:3-5; Psalm 22; Isaiah 50:6-7.
As if that wasn't enough, He went on to tell His followers that they also must face suffering. "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23-25). He said this not just to the 12 - but to the crowd. When they heard about the cross, they weren't thinking of suffering in some sort of figurative way. The Romans would put down rebellions and crucify people by the 1000's - they would line the highways of the day with crosses, and upon those crosses the mutilated bodies of the sufferers who dared to defy Rome. These people knew that Jesus was saying, "If you follow me, you must be ready for this kind of outcome." And they knew that someone carrying a cross was going on a one-way trip. They weren't coming back. They would hear the screams of torture in the night the way we hear sirens or dogs barking. It was a fairly common occurrence.
Someone should have told Jesus a few things about recruiting! Shouldn't He have been focusing on all the good things? Shouldn't He have kind of hidden that stuff about suffering? Kept it quiet? Isn't that what many "recruiters" of people to Christianity do today? Well, actually, there's no need to even hide that truth ... if we don't believe it any more. It's all good ... right?
The problem is - He said it again - in Luke 14:27.
Hmmmm ... makes me think of that old song, "To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, all I ask, is to be like Him. All through life's journey, from earth to glory, all I ask, is to be like Him." Maybe we should rethink that. If you read the passages above describing His suffering - do you really want that?
What are you seeking mainly in life? Getting ahead? Gaining possessions? If you seek to hang onto you life - you will lose it. But, if you give up your life for His sake - you will have a life!
Jesus closes this little encouragement session by letting them know that He will come again for those who are not ashamed to identify with Him ... in this way (suffering). But, in Luke 18:8 He asks a very sobering question, "When the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?"
For an example of one group of followers who were awakened to give a little more one day, see this story - http://thegatheringplacehome.myfastforum.org/archive/when-the-deacon-talked-in-church__o_t__t_1533.html
Have you not only identified who Christ is, but have you identified WITH Christ? What are you giving up?
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