Wednesday, May 22 | Colossians 1:24-29 | Amy Jackson
If we’re honest with ourselves, there are parts of the Bible that are hard to read - that make us squirm in our seats. This is one of those passages for me! What does it mean that Paul, in his suffering, “is filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Colossians 1:24)? And, why is it that Paul declares, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake” (Colossians 1:24)? What kind of person would rejoice in suffering?
I think our first question here helps inform how we answer the second. Paul isn’t saying that Jesus’ suffering on the cross is incomplete in some way - he’s not adding to Christ’s anguish or completing it in the sense that His atonement is somehow lacking. Christ’s work on the cross is perfect and complete. What I think Paul is talking about here is how, through his suffering, the gospel continues to be proclaimed. Though Paul is in chains, the word of God is made known. While we might think that suffering in this kind of manner is only for ministers or missionaries, the truth is that we will all face suffering on this path to becoming like Jesus.
Now, I don’t think Paul was jumping up and down in joy and anticipation because of his call to suffer. Paul was imprisoned - and we know that he was mocked, beaten, and suffered greatly for his faith. Paul rejoices, though, because the gospel continued to go forth despite his afflictions - in fact, the gospel was proclaimed through his suffering. That brings me to ask myself the hard question, “How am I proclaiming the gospel through my own suffering?” My prayer is that I would not waste opportunities to make the good news known, even in the midst of trials and weakness.
Second, Paul reminds us here of the “riches of the glory of this mystery” (Colossians 1:27). What is this mystery? It is the mystery of the gospel - “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). As followers of Christ, we know that our suffering is temporary on this road to becoming like Jesus. What’s more, we also know that our suffering can’t separate us from Jesus (Romans 8:28) and our suffering can’t compare to the glory waiting for us as God’s children (2 Corinthians 4:17). And this, my friends, is good news - that the suffering we face here is temporary and that we can cling to Christ and the hope of glory we have in Him!
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