Thomas a Kempis: the love of the sufferer

Thursday, May 18, 2017
Meditation:
    But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
    —Acts 9:15-16 (NIV)
Quotation:
    When Christ was in the world, He was despised by men; in the hour of need He was forsaken by acquaintances and left by friends to the depths of scorn. He was willing to suffer and to be despised; do you dare to complain of anything? He had enemies and defamers; do you want everyone to be your friend, your benefactor? How can your patience be rewarded if no adversity tests it? How can you be a friend of Christ if you are not willing to suffer any hardship? Suffer with Christ and for Christ if you wish to reign with Him.
    Had you but once entered into perfect communion with Jesus or tasted a little of His ardent love, you would care nothing at all for your own comfort or discomfort but would rejoice in the reproach you suffer; for love of Him makes a man despise himself.
    ... Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471), Of the Imitation of Christ [1418], Leipzig: Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1877, II.i..5, p. 85 (see the book)
    See also Acts 9:15-16; Isa. 53:3; Mark 13:13; John 4:34; 6:38; 12:27-28; Rom. 15:3; Phil. 2:8
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, show me what I must do for Your Name’s sake. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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