Revelation 1:15

“His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace.”

Jesus is not a stranger to suffering.  It is impossible to image what Jesus, God’s sacrificial Lamb and our Savior, was going through, what blazing furnaces of suffering as he cried out on the cross of suffering, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  All because he was atoning for our sins so that we can live in peace with God. Praise his name!

Bible readers are reminded of the three Hebrew men in exile, far from home, thrown into the blazing furnace because they refused to worship any but God almighty, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  There were not afraid of suffering. Nevertheless, when they were thrown into that blazing furnace they were not burned to a crisp in an instant as expected, but they actually walked on the blazing flames of fire. With their faith in God they rejoiced in the midst of suffering.  They emerged from that suffering without as much as a scent of fire on their bodies, especially their feet.

The seven churches in central Turkey found themselves suffering as they, too, refused to worship any but God, the almighty and only God. I would like to think that John, suffering on Patmos, was encouraged to know that his present suffering was but for a period of time – and the seven churches as well.  That will certainly pass. Resurrection follows the cross.

I know suffering.  You, beloved readers, know suffering, no doubt, as well.  That is not only a part of our calling but seems to be essential to keep us cleansed and set free.  In suffering it is difficult to see any relief, but in Christ there is eternal solace.  May we proceed on our journey in spite of suffering.