But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13, ESV)
Peter's premise is straightforward: the more you connect with the sufferings of Christ today, the more you will celebrate his coming tomorrow. If you partake of and share in Christ's sufferings in this life, you will have a stronger appreciation for his glory in the next one. You will be on the edge of your seat for Christ's return. You will long for the kingdom.
But none of us expect to be crucified. So what does it mean to share in Christ's sufferings? Here are some suggestions:
Jesus suffered to reach people. Likewise, when we make sacrifices to bring the gospel to others or make disciples, we share a bit in his sufferings. When we extend ourselves so that another human can have life, we are partaking of a small semblance of what he did for all of humanity.
Jesus was alone. No one was like Jesus. In even the most crowded rooms, Jesus was alone. No one could comprehend the depths of this man. And when friends or family abandon us because of our allegiance to Jesus, or when we are in a room filled with people whose lives are driven by the kingdoms of this world, we are tasting a little of Christ's sufferings.
Jesus experienced physical pain. The agony of the cross was the worst of spiritual and psychological distress, but it was first physically agonizing. Beaten to the point of death and then pinned to the tree, Christ suffered bodily pain few of us will ever experience. So when we endure physical pain, Jesus understands. And our suffering allows us to partake of the sufferings of Christ.
Jesus was ridiculed. His accusers jeered and insulted him while he died. They challenged him to save himself if he was indeed God's Son. They mocked him for his ability to help others but not himself. He died in ridicule, but he'd been ridiculed his whole life for his suspicious birth, audacious words, and groundbreaking actions. And, though we will never experience ridicule to the same degree, we can partake of his sufferings any time we’re dishonored because of our affiliation with him.
Jesus was not home in any camp. Jesus was not at home in the camp of the Pharisees, the Zealots, the Sadducees, or the Herodians. He did not embrace the Roman or Greek mentality or share in the mood of many in Israel. He did not throw his weight behind the kingdoms of this world but continually spoke of the kingdom of God. And if you've ever felt ostracized and out of place on all sides, you are tasting a little of Christ's sufferings.
Jesus was misunderstood. He spoke in parables because they couldn't comprehend his more straightforward teachings. He was inaccurately accused. Some thought he would bring an external and political uprising against Rome, but he instead brought the unseen kingdom of God. Some thought he hated all things Judaism, but he came to fulfill every word of it. Some thought he was a glutton and winebibber, yet he had the soberest view of the world's situation. And if you've ever felt misunderstood because of your allegiance to Christ, you have entered into one of the most precious aspects of his sufferings.
Jesus was like a parent. The disciples were like children, and Jesus had a parental duty to them. Jesus came to bring many sons to God. Like a parent, Jesus worked tirelessly to develop the immature followers who'd attached themselves to him. He was trying hard to bring them into the adulthood of the faith. And if you've ever grown weary parenting and training younger people—either your dependents or those who merely depend on you in the church—you know a bit of this level of suffering.
Jesus grew tired. It was not a miracle that Jesus fell asleep on the boat and slept through a massive storm. He could sleep there because he was exhausted. People pressed on him constantly. He found precious few moments alone with his Father. So he fought for that time, rising before the sun and often going to the wilderness to be alone with God. And if you've ever grown tired because of your service to Christ, you've partaken in this rewarding aspect of his pain.
In thousands of ways, Christ suffered. And though ours will never be as severe his, when we share Christ's suffering, we are setting ourselves up for intense joy when he appears in glory. So, let us trudge along with him. As we share in his sufferings, he shares his life with us—we are close to him. As much as we will be rewarded tomorrow, we are also rewarded today.