Introduction: What? “Pass the Pain Please.” No thank you. Are you crazy? How can we say, “Pass the Pain Please”?

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:5-11)

Jesus experienced physical, emotional, and spiritual PAIN as He took our (my) place on the cross. Yet, He became obedient unto death. Check out Hebrews 5:8:

“8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”

If Jesus, God the Son, experienced obedience through suffering, how much more will we?

2. Speaking of PAIN, Take what Jesus said about His followers, for example.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)

The Word “CROSS” spells D-E-A-T-H! DEATH to self! That is PAINFUL! SELF had been in control for most of our lives.
SELF does not want to die easily. Let’s face it. It hurts to die to our own ideas, our own ways, our friends, music, TV, computer, dress, etc. all that leaves Jesus out. It seems so much easier to give in to the FLESH. Right? But what we do not realize at the time is that there will be reaping where we have sown….sowing to the flesh, and consequently reaping corruption.

Conclusion: When we suffer, especially because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, we identify with Him. It pleases our Father. We are comforted and blessed by our Lord when we identify with Him.

“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Pet 2:21)

The word “suffer” is πάσχω, which means I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

Are you suffering today? Please distinguish between self-imposed PAIN (sowing to the flesh) vs suffering PAIN because of our relationship with Jesus. God honors and blesses His children as we suffer for His name’s sake.