After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭19‬
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

As I think back over my life, I find that there have been times of suffering, challenge, and hardship interspersed with times of great joy, happiness, and success. And so many times when suffering came in the past, I would retreat, pull back, and blame others for the suffering I experienced. This was wrong and not from the Word of God. “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭39‬)

So as I suffer in the name of Jesus, I am called to rejoice! Why? Because of the future glory to be revealed when Jesus Christ comes again. Just like a father and mother will be patient with their children and discipline them, so God is patient with us and disciplines us. And like an obedient child, we are called to trust God and bear up under trials and suffering. Not only to bear up under it, but to serve while under suffering.

This is the model of John the Baptist. He served under suffering. Future suffering did not deter him from serving. Jesus also served under suffering. He was not deterred. These two both accomplished this by depending on God and his Spirit inside them. And the good news is, we can do the same thing.

We see here God’s timing for Jesus to begin his ministry coincided with John’s imprisonment. It makes some sense, when one servant is detained, another steps into their place and serves. John was the front-runner. Jesus was the Messiah. So this timing was God-ordained. John could have fought against this turn of events or gotten bitter, but he did not. He stood on his faith in prison. And Jesus’ preaching continued John’s message of repentance, plus “the good news” of the salvation he brought to mankind.

Am I willing to serve while spiritually bloodied, broken, or hurting? Why not! The Lord of all is on my side!

Lord, thank you for your timing and for the suffering you allow me to be in at times. It is a privilege to suffer for your name! May it bring you glory! Open my eyes to see your hand today!