Sharing in Suffering

We recognize that our Savior suffered and died so that in Him we can be set free from the power of sin and death.  Because of sin, we deserved to die, but because Jesus was the perfect substitute for us, He took our punishment on the cross and was victorious because death could not hold Him.  But, the Bible tells us we are not exempt from suffering.  1st Peter 4 says this:
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

On Good Friday, I was thinking about what it meant to share in the sufferings of Christ.  That certainly doesn't mean that I would have to die for my own sins, because Jesus did that. But, all around the world, people are suffering and dying because they are Christ-followers. We live in a fallen world, so we are not exempt from suffering - the Bible even tells us that God produces the fruit of patience through our suffering.  

While we may not suffer unto death, certainly there are consequences of sin for which we suffer, even though there may be forgiveness.  There are also manifestations of the enemy - spiritual attacks - in which we suffer.  Christ did not redeem us from suffering, but He suffered so that we might be redeemed.  And, that we may have hope.

I have great admiration for the former governor of the state of Arkansas, who is now our Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee.  He spoke at Faith Radio's 25th Anniversary celebration back in 2009.  By extension, I admire the current governor of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who once served as press secretary in the White House.  She, too, is an outspoken Christian whom I believe lives out her faith in Christ.

Last Christmas, she issued a proclamation giving Arkansas state workers a day off on December 26, the day after Christmas.  She received pushback for it.  On Facebook, she declared, "I will not apologize for or retract my Christmas proclamation giving state workers an extra day off.  Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ, and if we are to honor Him properly, we should tell His miraculous, world-changing story properly, too."

David Brody of CBN News penned a story about Sanders relating to her 2020 release of the book, Speaking for Myself.  The article states, quoting the now-governor:

Sanders also had to fight, specifically to defend her reputation against liberals who couldn't stand her. "Their whole mantra is all about tolerance as long as you agree with them," Sanders told CBN News. "And because I didn't agree with them on policy, and I was a supporter and a very vocal supporter of the president, I was fair game and everything about me was fair game, everything from my appearance, my weight, my makeup, my fitness to be a parent."  However, Sanders knew who to really listen to. "I wasn't looking for anybody else to define me. I knew who I was. I knew that God had created me for a purpose and that gave me the confidence I needed to go in and face every day."

So, you might say that Sanders desire to live out her faith in the Lord.  And, it has affected dining experiences.  You may remember an incident in 2018, in which she and her family were asked to leave a Virginia restaurant - why?  Because of her working in the White House.  You might even say that she drew hostility because of who she was.  I don't think it was too much of a stretch to say her faith played a role in that.   The Daily Wire recalled that incident when it reported on a more recent occurrence just weeks ago, reporting:

Hours after The Daily Wire revealed the details of the incident at The Croissanterie in Little Rock, in which Sanders was asked to leave after having lunch with two mom friends, and was both shouted at and flipped off as she departed, the restaurant told local press that it had nothing to do with her conservative politics.

“After the party completed their meal, a member of the security detail was quietly asked to help conclude the visit in line with our standard 90-minute table policy,” the restaurant told KARK. “The request was not immediately received, and the party remained for an additional period before departing without incident once communication was established.”

Restaurant employees didn’t seem to get the memo. In a widely circulated Facebook post that was taken as a statement from restaurant staff, an employee called the governor “evil” and made it very clear that Sanders’ politics made the governor’s visit controversial.

Todd Starnes quoted the governor as saying, “Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant certainly doesn’t meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down with discrimination and hate..."  Starnes also quipped, "And might I suggest that Gov. Sanders consider dining at a restaurant that serves biscuits, rather than croissants?"

She was called "evil" by restaurant patrons.  She has been subjected to ridicule from those who disagree with her.  That's not only bad manners, but it's not the way of Christ.  We decry political violence, certainly, but we can also be careful about not only the words we speak, but the way they are spoken.  

We will face hostility because of our belief in Christ - that's part of the territory.  The enemy wants to destroy us and there are many who want to silence us.  But, as our Savior taught us in John 16, we will have tribulation, but we can be cheerful because He has overcome the world.

Sharing in the sufferings of Christ?  Being called evil?  We are not exempt.   Most of us don't face suffering unto death, but many do.  We may face ridicule because He did and He lives in us.  But, we can respond with confidence in and dependence on the Lord, and we can be joyful and even compassionate when there are those that display hostility toward us because of Him.