When Mel Gibson’s movie came out (The Passion of the Christ) some might have been confused by the title, because the word passion is used today mostly to describe sex or something else we especially enjoy. “He has a passion for sailing,” we hear, or “she’s passionate about her work with kids.” But for centuries it has also referenced Jesus’ final days on earth. Holy Week is often called Passion Week. And this makes sense, because the English word passion comes from the Latin verb patior, which means to suffer, bear with patience,  and endure.

At the Last Supper – one event in His Passion Week – Jesus told His disciples: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:14). He knew what was coming and had tried to prepare them for it, but His efforts were mostly in vain. Peter even earned a rebuke from the Lord by vehemently denying what He shared about His upcoming death (Matthew 16:21-23).

As much as those closest to Jesus wanted to protect Him, their beloved friend would be, as it says in Isaiah 53:7, “oppressed and afflicted, led like a lamb to the slaughter.” All their blustering and protest couldn’t shield Him from the cross. In John 12:27 He says, “Now my heart is troubled and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I came.” Jesus knew what His obedience to the Father would cost, and He wanted His disciples to know the impact it would have on them.

For the earliest disciples, the passion of Christ soon became their passion too. As they testified to what they had seen and heard, they were hunted down, harassed, beaten, subjected to false trials, exiled, and often killed. In Revelation 2:13 Jesus calls Antipas, from the church in Pergamum, “my faithful witness.” He commends others in the church because “You did not renounce your faith … You remain true to my name.”    

During His final week with the Twelve Jesus was preparing them for the new role they would be assuming following His ascension. He was conferring on them a kingdom where they would rule with Him (Luke 22:29). Carrying His message forward, sharing the Good News of salvation through Him, they would be His ambassadors in a hostile world. As author Dallas Willard says in The Divine Conspiracy, “As a disciple of Jesus I am with him, by choice and by grace, learning from him how to live in the kingdom of God. I am not necessarily learning to do everything he did, but I am learning HOW to do everything I do in the manner that he did all that he did.”

What does that mean exactly? I believe it means that whatever we’re called to do as His witnesses, we do in the spirit by which Jesus went to the cross. We exhibit love, mercy, forgiveness towards our enemies, concern for others, and an unflinching confidence in our heavenly Father. Here’s an important truth to keep in mind: The exalted Lamb of God will forever be worshipped because He was willing to “pour out his life unto death” (Isaiah 53:12). His humility in suffering is what set Him apart and gave Him the name above every name.

 In the West we’ve enjoyed freedom from being harassed or persecuted for our faith in Jesus, apart from occasionally scornful remarks or social shunning by unbelievers, but there are no guarantees this will always be the case. Are we ready for persecution … if it should come? Are we willing to face headwinds of opposition (as Jesus did) to obey God? Can we let go of our dreams for personal fulfillment if we must choose between them and our loyalty to Christ?   

The apostle Paul knew firsthand how reigning with Christ meant also sharing in His suffering. He writes in Romans 8:17, “If we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” However, he adds, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Am I writing prophetically about all this? Am I predicting a coming time of suffering for us in the West? Not at all. I have no such inkling in my spirit, and as far as I know, we will continue to experience a relatively easy time compared to other parts of the world. I simply want to remind us that we must be ready for change if it comes our way.

We don’t need to be alarmed by the prospect – we know God’s grace is always sufficient for anything we face.The One who sustained Jesus and His early disciples will sustain us as well. If we are called to suffer for His sake, we can rely on this promise in 1 Peter 5:10: “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”  

After being restored by Jesus, Peter learned to embrace his calling rather than deny it. In 1 Peter 3:14 he tells the persecuted church of his day, “Even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not … be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” He knew how important it is to decide on which side we will stand before the challenge or temptation arises. Have we counted the cost of being Jesus’ disciple? Have we decided a close relationship with Him is worth far more than anything we’re asked to endure for Him?   

I know this is easier said than done. Suffering of any kind blocks out hope and confidence. During painful episodes we wonder if we’ll ever feel good again. But if we can remember that Jesus’ crucifixion was answered by His resurrection, we will find the strength to bear it. Jesus endured the cross by focusing on what lay ahead … “the joy set before Him.” He invites us to do the same.     

The possibility of suffering for Him acts as a thermometer for our spiritual health. Jesus asked His disciples in Mark 10:38 (NLT): “Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?” He asks us the same question today. Those who are eager to reign with Him will answer, “Yes Lord! With your help I will drink from your cup as your faithful witness. Help me to adopt the same spirit you had as you obeyed your Father. Whatever comes, you will be first in my heart! I set you apart as LORD.”