I have good news and bad news. The bad news is we might as well get used to it: as long as we are in this world we are going to suffer, crucibles will come.

This is the very last episode in our examination of the Life of Christ and others from the perspective of Living in a Crucible. 

Understand that symbolically a crucible is the fiery trials we experience as we grow and develop.

And though Crucibles are painful, although they are uncomfortable, and they hurt, they are beneficial in developing our character and they prepare us to live eternally in the heavenly kingdom.

From the Sabbath School Adult Bible Study Guide 2022 Quarter 3: Sabbath.School

See also Hope Sabbath School and 3ABN Sabbath School

Inviting the Holy Spirit’s Presence

Father, as with Jesus, we do not welcome suffering, nevertheless let not our will, but your will be done.

In Jesus Name Amen.

As fallen creatures, suffering is our destiny. It is the consequence of sin. There is nothing in the Bible that promises us anything different. But, the good news is our suffering are light afflictions compared to what God has prepared for us in His Kingdom. Our sufferings ends when Jesus returns to take us to His heavenly kingdom.

Thus, as perspective residents of the Kingdom of God, we will experience suffering and hardship, according to Acts 14:22;

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  (Acts 14:22)

Hence in Philippians 1:29 we are asked not only to believe in Christ but to suffer for his sake.

29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (Philippians 1:29)

And 2 Timothy 3:12 lets us know that if we desire to live a righteous life we will be persecuted.

12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)

So, if you thought that life would be a bed of rose once you decided to follow Jesus, think again!

For sure, we will suffer in this life. At the same time, we must remember two things.

First, Jesus our Lord suffered worse than any of us ever have or ever will suffer.

At the cross, Jesus “took on Himself our troubles and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4, NLV).

When we suffer, we don’t suffer for anyone else. In contrast, Jesus suffered for everyone. He who never sinned became “sin for us” according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, KJV).

2 Corinthians 5:21

21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.(Split)

Jesus suffered in a way that we, as sinners, can’t begin to imagine. (Split)

Second, as we suffer, we need to remember the results of Jesus’ suffering. That is, we must remember what God promises to give us because of Jesus’ offering for us.

This good news is thread throughout the Bible. For example: it is recorded in

John 10:28

28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:28)

Romans 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Titus 1:2

2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, (Titus 1:2)

And 1 John 2:25

25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. (1 John 2:25)

Whatever we suffer in this life, right now, in Jesus we can be perfect. How is this possible? Jesus accepted our punishment on the cross. So, by faith we have the promise of everlasting life. Thanks to Jesus’ perfect life, and perfect offering, a better future is waiting for us.

Thanks to Jesus, we will live forever in a new heaven and earth without sin, suffering and death. Sin will be no more. Suffering and death will be destroyed forever. God promises all these things to us not because of anything we have done, but because of Jesus and everything He suffered for us. We have so much to be thankful for because of our Savior! Jesus.  And all this is promised to us and made certain for us only because of Christ and the crucible He went through so that one day soon, He will see “the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11).

What is our path to heaven? Is it a road with every convenience? No, it is a path that is narrow and apparently inconvenient; it is a path of conflict, of trial, of tribulation and suffering. However, Our Captain on the journey is Jesus Christ. He has hid nothing from us regarding the battles we must fight. He opens the map before us and shows us the way. He says, ““Strive,” to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24). “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:13). “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). The apostle Paul, echoes the words of Christ, when He says: “We must through much tribulation entering into the kingdom” (Acts 14:22)…

Jesus is the our Captain, in him is the instrument of every grace, the instrument of every promise, the instrument of every ordinance, the instrument of every blessing. Jesus is the essence of the glory and fragrance; he is the essence of life itself. His promise is “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Then as princes and as princesses the royal path laid out for the ransomed to walk in is not discouraging darkness. Were it not for Jesus, our journey would be lonely and painful. But, He says, “I will not,” “leave you comfortless” (John 14:18). Then let us take hold to every promise. Let us repeat them by day and meditate upon them in the night season, and be happy. . . .

Is not this the royal path we are traveling, created for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in? Then can there be a better path? A safer way? No! No! Then let us practice the instruction given in his word. Let us see our Saviour as our safe haven, as our shield on our right hand to defend us from the attacks of Satan our Enemy. —Selected Messages, book 2, pp. 243–245. Adapted 

Sure, the bad news is we will have crucibles, but the good news is we are royalty, and we are on the royal path, the best path that leads to our heavenly kingdom where we will live eternity without sin, sorrow, heartaches, pain and never another crucible!