THE COSMIC CHRISTSample

Paul has a deep connection with the Colossians, which we have already seen. The Colossians as recipients of the gospel of Jesus Christ have moved from darkness into the light. Paul, as a servant of this gospel, is deeply moved by their response to it. 

But Paul is suffering. One thing is clear about Paul: he does not perversely enjoy suffering for its own sake. But when suffering occurs for the sake of others who know Christ, then he is capable of rejoicing in the experience. It makes meaning out of his pain. There is, we may say, gain for his pain. There is a deep insight in this which helps us understand Christian endurance. We can endure the suffering that often comes with being a Christian since Christ suffered for us, and since because he suffered, we have an extraordinary hope. 

Paul even makes the extraordinary statement here that he is somehow making up for a lack in the suffering of Jesus on the cross – almost as if the work of the cross was insufficient for the job and he needed to fill it in. I don’t think that’s quite his point here. He is rather pointing to the continuity of his suffering (and by extension, the suffering of the Colossians) with the suffering death of Christ. It is the same suffering work. When Paul suffers for the Colossians to bring them the gospel, it is a completion of the work of the cross, since it brings the good news of hope in Christ’s death to the Colossians. In this sense, Christ’s afflictions were lacking, and needing Paul the apostle to complete their task. 

Prayer

Father of all power and love, thank you for the readiness of those who have suffered for Christ’s name so that I might hear the good news and receive your precious salvation. Make me ready to do the same, for the sake of your church. Amen.