Did you know the Bible says that something is lacking in Christ’s suffering?
Yep, it does. Just take a look at Colossians 1:24. The apostle Paul writes, “I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and maybe you’ve had the same response to that verse that I had in the past. You read it and it’s like, “Hello? You mean the Lord didn't finish the job? Something’s lacking?” You know, a lot of Christians, young and old, have stumbled over that verse, but because it has to do with the subject of suffering, let me clear it up right now. You see, when Colossians 1 says something is "lacking," in Christ’s afflictions, it doesn't imply falling short of a mark. The work of Christ is finished. Jesus said so in the Gospel of John when He was on the cross: “It is finished.” It was there that Jesus paid the penalty for sin and released to us incredible power to live a life pleasing to God. Nothing's lacking there. Not one bit. So what does it mean when Paul says that he “fills up in his flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions?”
Well, let me explain what is lacking. I call it "show and tell." Something needs to be finished and you and I are the ones to do it. You see, we bear in our body now the bruising and battering intended for Christ. What's more, we bear it in a godly manner. You see, Jesus is not around in the flesh to do this, but we are. We are the walking billboards of his finished work. The New Century Version translates that verse in Colossians this way. It says, “I am pleased also that in my body I can continue the suffering of Christ for his body, the church.” There you have it, friend: we are showing people His power on display, and we are telling them of His death on the cross - we take the punches on the chin from the world to show and tell that the cheek can be turned, the cross can be carried, the burden can be borne, the thorn can be accepted, the temptation can be opposed, and we show and tell that the transgression can be forgiven, and the wicked can be loved.
Because face it: People don't know the reality of what the Lord did more than 2,000 years ago, except they read the Bible. They only know it when they see him show up through our lives. And that’s why whenever I read that interesting little verse in Colossians, I always think of "show and tell." We show people how to pick up the cross daily and carry it without complaining… and we tell them of the Savior’s power to help us do it.
Look, I know you experience hardships; I know you’ve gone through suffering; you’ve struggled with affliction. But I have to ask, have you ever connected it with Colossians 1:24?Have you ever considered that you have the chance to continue filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions? You’ve got to know, that’s a high and mighty calling; it’s a wonderful mission; I mean, it really puts a powerful purpose behind your hardships, doesn’t it? So… when's the last time you did "show and tell?" Fill up today what is lacking in regards to Christ's afflictions. Think of how people misunderstood Him, abused Him, and turned their backs on Him – because it’s probably going to happen to you and when it does, just ask the Lord to give you strength to walk in His shoes. Ask Him to give you courage and be powerful through you. Do it for the world's sake. Do it, as Colossians 1 commands, for the sake of the body. Most of all, do it for the sake of Christ. Until next time, this is your friend, Joni, wheeling alongside you and glad to join you in filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of our wonderful Savior.
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