2 Corinthians 11:27; In Hunger and Thirst
2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
A sober reminder once again the true picture of Christian service. There is much to suffer for Christ’s sake. It fact, a study of the life of Christ will show us this truth. Jesus was born in a lowly manger. There was no room in the inn for his parents to lodge when He entered human history. King Herod was after His life.
Referencing 1 Corinthians 4:11, the Apostle Paul’s words were reflective of Christ’s ministry – Jesus said in Matthew 8:20 …The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
It must have come as an anti-climax to His followers. You mean this Great Master Who did all this wonder, did not even have a house to stay and have to be in the streets. The scribe did not directly accept nor yet flatly reject Jesus. Jesus’s words must have kept the scribe thinking. If he had wanted to follow Jesus because he is attracted to the power and prestige of healing, the power to cast out devils, to be the follower of a popular Master like Jesus is now, then he better think twice because He did not even have the basic comforts in life. He had no place of His own. In John’s gospel we are told that every man at the end of the day went unto his own house (John 7:58) but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, sleeping under the stars in prayer to the Father. It was a hard life.
The Apostle Paul in his ministerial journey experienced much hardship such as hunger and thirst. It affects the body’s normal functioning. He endured such to accomplish the work of the gospel entrusted to him. The Apostle Paul was wholly committed to his Master’s cause as Jesus explained to His disciples in John 4:31-38 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain (Philippians 2:16). Amen.