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Why Suffering?
There are three main observations made when examining why the Church is called to suffering. One, Christ came as a Suffering Servant to fulfill covenant demands. Second, he modeled this suffering throughout his public and private ministry. Third, he called his disciples to suffer, and proclaims the suffering of his followers, his Church, until his return in glory.
The Covenant of Grace demands the suffering of Christ. For God to fulfill the terms of the Covenant – the unilateral Abramic covenant of grace – He had to be both Lord and Servant. Covenant relationships were solidified by the shedding of blood, specifically by the halving of a sacrificial animal, either between a superior king and vassal king, or between a lord and his servant. In the case of Abraham, the Covenant was made entirely on God’s initiative and actions. Abraham was a passive bystander, asleep during the actual event.[1] It was the Lord that passed down the center aisle, symbolizing that if the covenant were broken by either party, he would pay the penalty with the sacrifice of his own blood. God was and is both Lord and Servant of his Covenant – his righteousness and justice demanded the terms of the binding, legal covenant be met, and his death on the cross completely fulfilled those very demands. Only God himself could meet these demands, and this is found in the innocent blood of the crucified Christ.[2]
Throughout the Old Testament, the coming Messiah is one who will suffer and reign in glory.[3] We cannot miss or misplace one aspect or the other. He is most certainly sovereign and his return in glory is assured. But his sufferings on earth, and his call for us to suffer in the interadvental period, are also guaranteed. In stark contrast to the expectations of first century Judaism, Christ had to suffer to usher in his Kingdom reign; not as a political king, but a Servant King, and our identity in him should be that of suffering. His actions in the Gospels display that power is found in suffering, humiliation and service.[4]
The connection between the Suffering Servant and our submission to his call for the Church to suffer with him is found in the power of the resurrection. This is why Peter says,
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. [5]Freedom in Christ is found in the power of his resurrection, and freedom from sin leads to suffering for truth.[6]
[1] Genesis 15
[2] Edmund Clowney, The Church, (Downers Grove. InterVarsity, 1995), 35-36
[3] See, among others, Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.
[4] Richard Gaffin, “Theonomy and Eschatology: Some Reflections on Postmillennialism,” from Theonomy. A Reformed Critique, William S. Barker and W. Robert Godfrey, eds. (Grand Rapids. Zonderban, 1990), pp 197-224.
[5] 1 Peter 2:21
[6] Philippians 3:7-10
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