A few weeks back, I was reading the words of 1 Peter, which I’ve done before, but from a different translation (special thanks to Donovan, for one of the best birthday presents I’ve received in a while). I was reading from “The Message” translation, and something completely jumped out at me.

 

One easy way that we could sum up one of the key points of 1 Peter is that, as Christ suffered, so shall we. Keeping that in mind, here’s what Peter says about Christ’s suffering:

 

1 Peter 1:10

“The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah’s Spirit let them in on some of it–that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory.”

 

These words resonated so strongly with me. Suffering, followed by glory. Chapter 3 goes on to talk about suffering, and chapter 4 touches on glory. I highly recommend that you take a few moments to let those words marinate into your heart.

 

Keeping that in mind, bring to remembrance the words of Paul in 1Corinthians 4:17. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” The word affliction could be replaced with suffering. Though I’ve heard and read this verse many times, I saw something new. What does Paul mean by “weight” of glory?

 

Take a moment to compare the terms that are being juxtaposed here: “suffering/affliction” and “glory,” and also “light” and “weight.” Now does it make more sense? Paul is speaking of a comparative weighing, as on a scale. The suffering we experience is light when compared to the heaviness of the glory we are going to experience. Suffering, followed by glory.

 

Let us, day by day, call to mind that suffering is not just suffering. It is suffering, followed by glory.