20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
Here our Lord reminds His guys (and us) of a Truth previously spoken – the servant is not greater than the Master – go figure. Jesus had delivered similar words to His disciples earlier in John regarding following His lead by demonstrating loving humble service to others. He now takes His principle of leadership and gives it a further application – we are called to share in the sufferings of Jesus as well. This is a high calling indeed and one we sadly often run from and shun. We mistakenly fall into the pattern of believing that if something is difficult it must not be God’s will. Seriously, what could have been more difficult than His innocent Son dying on the cross to save sinful and ungrateful humanity? When will we learn that it is not about us rather it is all about Him?
“In shunning a trial, we are seeking to avoid a blessing.” Charles Spurgeon
It would greatly behoove us to consider our Lord’s Word as He states we are blessed in our obedience to them. We are not blessed by what we know rather we are blessed by our proper response to what we know.
“He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.” Thomas Fuller
Not to follow His example is to exalt ourselves above Him and to live in pride. The plainest Truths are often the strongest arguments for the most difficult duties:
16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:16-17 (NIV)
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26 (NIV)
We perhaps follow the Master now in humiliation yet later it will be in honor and glory. God is our compensation for every sacrifice made on His behalf – and we never out give Him. It also serves as well to remember that everything accomplished or held tightly in the hand apart from Christ will prove “meaningless” or “utterly futile” in the end. All is perishing but the souls of men and the Word of God – it is important to get that straight. Paul tells us in Romans:
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17 (NIV)
“Take courage. We walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow.” D.L. Moody
Paul also writes to the Church at Philippi similar words:
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Phil 1:29-30 (NIV)
“Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger...these are nothing when compared with the glory that will be revealed in, and for us.” David Livingstone
Peter also strengthens this point with his words as well:
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:12-17 (NIV)
“No man is fit to comprehend heavenly things who has not resigned himself to suffer adversities for Christ.” Thomas a Kempis
Just as love is our Lord’s primary theme, hate is the adversaries. It is important to note that a malicious, envious, spiteful spirit is not of Christ but of the world in which Satan now rules. The favorites of heaven are quite plainly not the darlings of the world. They will treat us this way because they neither know Jesus nor the One who sent Him.