Suffering in Ministry: Following Christ's example

We know that suffering is an inevitable part of life this side of heaven; we live in a world of death, grief, illness, relational difficulties and all kinds of struggles. But I thought it would be interesting to look at what the New Testament teaches on suffering specifically in Christian ministry. It's no newsflash to know that Christians suffer, but in an era of tele-evangelists asking for cash and a very prosperous Western church in general, you could be forgiven for thinking that those in ministry perhaps were exempt from life's struggles. That's not the picture that Scripture gives at all, and it's not the reality of life in ministry.

In brief, then, here's the deal: as Christians, we will face rejection from men just as Jesus did. Fact. 'If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.' (John 15:18) The church will be attacked from within and outside continually (just read through the book of Acts, where the apostles dealt with multiple plots, arrests, imprisonment, violent mobs, deception and character assassination). Serving in ministry means becoming involved in this very real spiritual battle. You're going straight into the firing line!

When you're in ministry, then, you need to be prepared for trials. You need to imitate Christ in those trials, maintaining joy and faithfulness despite suffering, knowing that those around you will imitate you and follow your example.

The Example of Jesus Christ
I could write blog posts on all of these points, but I'm going to keep it brief!
☻ Prayer. Don't forget that Jesus lived on earth as a human, and He lived His life in perfect dependence on His Father, shown in His need to pray constantly. (Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12, Luke 22, John 17 for some examples)
☻ Trust. He continued to trust God's plan even when personally rejected and ultimately crucified. (eg. John 19:11 where Jesus tells Pilate ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.')
☻ Giving to others. He constantly had hoards of people coming to Him for healing and teaching, and He ministered to them with compassion. (Matthew 9:36)
☻ Singing in the shadow of the cross (Matthew 26:30). After celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, where He taught them the true meaning of this festival was to point towards how His body would be broken and His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins, Jesus sang a hymn then went out to Gethsemane, where He would pray in agony of spirit then be betrayed, arrested, and sent to the cross. Despite the weight of this knowledge, He sung praise to His Father (probably Psalms 113-118 which were usually used at this feast). In our sufferings (which must be meagre in comparison), we should do the same.