The Glory and the Cost

In 1994, Jerry Rice, a future Hall of Fame wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, led the National Football League in receptions made, total receiving yards, and total yards per game. Pairing with quarterback Steve Young for explosive plays, Rice’s performance was key to the team’s dominating offense. During Super Bowl XXIX versus the San Diego Chargers played on January 29, 1995, Jerry caught ten receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns while playing with a separated shoulder! The 49ers prevailed 49-26 in a decisive victory.

After the ensuing celebration, Coach George Seifert congratulated his team for the last time and said, “See you in five months,” and the men went their separate ways into the offseason. Young was still single at the time and had no immediate plans for the next day, so he decided to go to the locker room, clean out his locker, take a whirlpool, and deal with any loose ends he may discover. The stadium was locked down when he arrived, so he pounded on a door and called out until a security guard opened the door wondering aloud, “What are you doing here?”

Young headed out into the stands to survey the field with no lights, no crowds, and no sound. He remembered and reflected on the glorious season he had just completed. In the process, he noticed some sort of activity in the shadows at the end of the field opposite him. Looking more intently, he was able to discern a man sprinting back and forth across the end zone. Scrutinizing the scene again, he could discern the figure cutting right and left while mimicking the action of a receiver catching a pass. Soon he recognized the man as Jerry Rice working on his technique on January 30 even though he would not be reporting to training camp until July 19. Rice understood that glory does not come without cost.

As we echo Paul’s words from longing hearts to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection and to fellowship with Him even in His sufferings, we, too, must acknowledge that the power of the resurrection is only possible by death on a cross. Without this horrible cost, there would have been no glory set before Jesus[1] and no promise of eternal life for us.

The Glory
Do you know Jesus? That is the first order of business. The word Paul uses here is very explicit as to what knowing Jesus really means. The Greek word used is ginosko, and it goes far beyond intellectual familiarity. Paul craves to gain understanding and insight into the character and person of Christ through a progressive, intimate, and experiential involvement with Him. This is the deep, communal relationship Jesus wants and indeed requires from us.[2] The power of His resurrection promised to us[3] is dependent on this kind of connection with Him.

The Cost
We must now turn our attention to fellowship in the sufferings of Christ, declaring just as passionately as before, our desire for it. The Greek word used is surprising, for it is widely known throughout the Church. Koinonia is well understood in the context of our connection to other believers who are to be our family in the life of faith. However, this intense employment of koinonia shifts the emphasis from horizontal accord with brothers and sisters in Christ to participatory communion in Christ’s path of humiliation, persecution, and self-sacrifice for the sake of deeper intimacy with Him.

This koinonia takes place in two primary ways. To fellowship in His sufferings, we must first follow the example Jesus set for us to live as human beings who are fully surrendered to the will of the Father and are completely reliant on the power, comfort, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is how Jesus lived on earth and this is how he commissions us to our distinct callings within the Body: exactly as the Father sent Him.[4]

It is true that only a few of us will ever be called to literal imprisonment, physical afflictions, or crucifixion. However, we are to live daily as sacrifices[5] whose hearts are surrendered to the will of God, regardless of our passions or desires. The second method of our fellowship with Christ’s sufferings, even in those things we may never palpably experience, is to focus our attention on every ugly aspect that He sustained and be willing to fellowship, koinonia, with Him in all of it.

For instance, as Jesus was dying on the cross, He looked at those gathered at His feet realizing that every disciple but one who pledged their dying fealty to Him had deserted Him. So, to all the anguish He was enduring, add in the heart-breaking misery of abandonment. Meditate on His grief. Empathize with your dying Savior at this moment. Feel His hopelessness. Share His suffering.

Jesus prayed fervent prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane that would not be answered. Identify with Him in His agony. The kiss of betrayal was placed upon Him for the paltry sum of thirty pieces of silver. Allow your heart to be devastated with His. Consider every facet of the torture He endured until He no longer resembled a man. Feel every blow and be overcome by His pain. And do not leave out the humiliation He bore crucified naked before His mother and all of Jerusalem.

It is Covered
Finally, my brothers and sisters in Christ, remember with gratitude that both His resurrection power and His sufferings were for you.[6] It was all for you that Jesus embodied the goodness, mercy, love, and grace of the Father. The full and final price for your eternal soul has been paid, and forever glory with Jesus in Heaven awaits you.[7] You take it from here. Recognize "ginosko" knowing and "koinonia" fellowship. Authorize them to remold your prayerful conversations with your Lord and Savior. May they enrich your blessed ties to Jesus until you go to meet Him, or He comes back for us all.

[1] Hebrews 12:2 [2] Matthew 7:21-23 [3] Romans 8:11 [4] John 20:21 [5] Romans 12:1 [6] I Peter 2:21 [7] I Peter 4:13

“That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings.”
Philippians 3:10 (KJV)