Jesus suffered and was rejected in fulfillment of the scriptures. Discipleship, as submission to the law of Christ, means that we who call ourselves disciples must also suffer.
Discipleship means adherence to the person of Jesus, and therefore submission to the law of Christ. In other words, it means the cross. This cross, according to Christopher Wright in Mission of God, is the key to history. This cross (in Revelation) is redemptive, universal, victorious. It is powerful. Perfect. Complete.
An individual comes to a turning/decision point (crisis of belief) where they must decide if they are going to truly be disciples ("suffer") or play a game with God mocked in whatever cloaks we use in the Church to keep things comfortable and surface.
To know Christ means to know only him. The idea of self-denial is to know Christ as we cease to know our fleshly selves.
We are to bear the cross for His sake.
For me, some of the imagery attached with this is uncomfortable. Sounds like religious fanaticism on some levels, but that is exactly what it is.
All in. Everything. Totally surrendered and available.
The cross is the call to abandon attachments. We surrender in unity with Christ's death.
This is just crazy talk to those who do not believe. For those who do, their total allegiance is to the cause of Christ.
"Suffering means being cut off from God. Therefore those who live in communion with Him cannot really suffer"
Suffering has to be endured in order that it may pass away.
Lots to ponder and sort out.
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