The crucible – a fellowship of suffering

cru·ci·ble
Pronunciation: 'krü-s&-b&l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English corusible, from Medieval Latin crucibulum earthen pot for melting metals
1 : a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat
2 : a severe test
3 : a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

As I was preparing to graduate from Bible College in 1977, we were asked to choose a verse that would appear along side our picture in the year book. I did not have a moment’s hesitation but selected a passage from Paul letter to the Philippians.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:10-11 NIV

This has been my heart’s cry and life’s pursuit – to know Jesus more and more. The more I know Him, not just know about Him but develop a relationship with Him, the more I will be like Him.

Now there are many who would gladly embrace that next phrase – the power of His resurrection. This is the power that Jesus spoke of when He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” Acts 1:8 NIV

That word “power” is translated from the Greek word – dunamis meaning force or miraculous power as opposed to “authority” - exousia meaning freedom of action, right to act, or delegated authority as when Jesus said,

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” Matt 28:18-19 NIV

As humans, we want power. We crave power. We will literally sell our soul to obtain power but as Lord Acton as been quoted,

“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

If we want to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection, we must embrace the fellowship of His suffering.

There were two of Jesus’ disciples who hungered for positions of power, authority and recognition.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"

"We can," they answered.

Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared." Mark 10:35-40 NIV

Their arrogance was matched latter by all the disciples and especially by Peter until they came to understand the significance of the cup that they were to drink and the baptism with which they would be baptized.

James was the first of the twelve to receive this baptism.

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. Acts 12:1-2 NIV

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah regarding the condition of Israel and the resulting consequences of her disobedience.

See how the faithful city has become a harlot!
She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her-- but now murderers!
Your silver has become dross; your choice wine is diluted with water.

I will turn my hand against you;
I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
Isa 1:21-22, 25 NIV

Because of her sin, Israel had become mixed with the impurities of sin. The allegory here is of both silver and wine neither of which is of any value if not pure. For this sake of this article, I will be concentrating on silver.

When John the Baptist spoke of Jesus’ coming he said,

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Matt 3:11-12 NIV

Being of a charismatic flavor, we get all excited at the prospect of the baptism with the Holy Spirit – the speaking in tongues, the demonstration of power, etc. But we all tend to either explain away or castrate this baptism of fire.

In prophesying about Jesus death, Zechariah spoke these words.

"Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones. In the whole land," declares the LORD, "two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.
They will call on my name and I will answer them;
I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'"
Zech 13:7-9 NIV

In these verses, he speaks of refining them like silver or testing them like gold. For more on this refining process, please refer to a previous post “Fired Bricks”. This testing of the gold is an examination, a proving to detect impurities and ascertain value. The purer the gold, the higher the price per ounce.

David cried out,

“Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.” Ps 26:2 NIV

And again,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Ps 139:23-24 NIV

Malachi wrote this regarding those days in preparation for Jesus’ return.

“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness…” Mal 3:2-3 NIV

Jesus is returning for a prepared bride, a bride without spot or wrinkle, a bride who has sanctified herself, set herself apart of Him. A bride who has allowed herself to be examined, proven by the Holy Spirit, cleansed by the washing of the Word. A bride who is holy as her Groom is holy.

To arrive at this placed of readiness; to be prepared she must drink deeply from the cup of suffering, participating in the fellowship or communion of His suffering. Jesus gave His disciples instructions on how they were to remember Him in this midst of the Passover. Regarding the cup, He said,

"This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:20 NIV

This cup which was the cup of redemption in the Passover meal was to forever after be remember as His blood poured out for our salvation. His suffering was our redemption.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isa 53:5 KJV

Moments before his arrest, Jesus found himself in the midst of the supreme struggle – to obey His Father and drain the cup of suffering dry by His death or refuse to drink.

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matt 26:36-39 NIV

It is this cup of which we must drink if we are to experience all that God has prepared for us and if we are to be prepared for Christ triumphant return. Without this baptism of fire, with drinking deeply from this cup, without fellowshipping in His suffering, we cannot be trusted with the power of His resurrection nor are we conformed to His death.

Water baptism is the outward symbol of this while being much more than just a symbol.

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Rom 6:3-4 NIV

Unless we willingly embrace the whole expression and experience of Christ’s work in us, we can never fulfill our destiny. We can never finish the race. We must allow Him to place us in the crucible of tribulation, of persecution, in order for the impurities to rise to the top. This process is not to condemn us but to bring to light the dross, the sin, the ungodliness in our lives so that we can repent and be cleansed. The Spirit of God turns up the heat so that this stuff will rise to the top where He can remove it. Thus we are purified.

If we don’t do it now, it will happen later. This is the message that is not getting out. It we allow God to examine us now, if we allow Him to baptize us with fire, if we will drink deeply of the cup that He offers now, we will be tested by fire after we die. Then our works will be proven as to their worth whether the wood, hay and stubble of self-interest or the gold, silver and precious stones of selfless service. (1 Cor. 3:12-15)

This purging, this cleansing is for our sake as well as His. We never learn, we are never changed while on the mountain tops. The mountain tops, the times of rejoicing, are to refresh us, to allow us to heal. Our character is proven, we are stretched, while in the valley.

Submit to the crucible. Embrace the flame. It will pass and you will be more like Jesus for having done so!