Suffering Leaders
Jesus suffered on numerous occasions at the hands of religious leaders who sought to eliminate this threat to their position and power.
The ultimate suffering, however, did not come at their hands, even though they instigated the procedure.
Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross at the hands of Rome.
Suffering is not often seen as greatness, rather a stumbling block and foolishness. To those who are saved, however, it is the power of God.
The higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make.