10 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, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Knowing Jesus is the most important relationship we can have in this life. It is also a relationship that secures our future life. This knowledge is also the first in a string of connected experiences. We know Him, then we can know the power of His resurrection. We like power! We want to know that kind of power. We don’t necessarily like the suffering piece, which is next in Paul’s thoughts. But the connection to His power and His suffering both come as a result of knowing Him. We don’t mind being associated with such a shameful act like crucifixion. Remember, crucifixion was the worst punishment available during the Roman period. Your death was a public event. It entailed unimaginable pain and suffering. Your suffering served as a lesson to other would-be law breakers of the power of Rome to impose its will. You did not want to be associated with someone who was crucified. It was a symbol of defeat and humiliation. And yet Paul did not mind being associated with Jesus’ death. There was a fellowship in that connection. When Paul suffered the things he did at the hands of his enemies, he could sense a connection to Jesus. This connection would continue all the way through the resurrection from the dead. Because Paul knew Jesus, he was willing to experience His power and His weakness, His resurrection and His sufferings. He was willing to yield his will to the will of God, even if it meant suffering as Jesus suffered. Are you willing to yield to God’s will to this extent?
The Arnold Journey 