One:    Who could have dreamed it?

Two:     As the limp body was lifted down and encased in a tomb.

One:     Who could have believed, at that point, that such power and glory was possible?

Two:     Who could have imagined that, at the Ascension, they would see that suffering transformed?

One:     > SLIGHT PAUSE Suffering is something that Christians have faced ever since.

Two:     Shamefully, sometimes at the hands of other Christians.

One:     Sometimes at the hands of others.

Two:     Even today – twenty-one centuries later the suffering still goes on.

One:     In some places as bad as it has ever been.

Two:     It was certainly a daily issue in the Early Church.

One:     Suffering because of belief that went against ideas of the time.

Two:     Suffering because those early believers wouldn’t do what others did.

One:     It’s always difficult to stand out as different.

Two:     To be out of tune with the world’s orchestra.

One:     To swim against the tide.

Two:     It still happens today.

One:     Perhaps...

Two:     Just perhaps...

One:     It should happen more often.

Two:     If we were braver...

One:     More courageous.

Two:     But all too often you can see where things are leading.

One:     You can see that taking a stand will lead to difficulty...

Two:     An uncomfortable situation.

One:     And so you back down.

Two:     You keep quiet.

One:     And the suffering is avoided.

Two:     None of us want to suffer.

One:     Especially if we can see a way in which the pain can be avoided.

Two:     But sometimes...

One:     Just sometimes...

Two:     Suffering is necessary for glory to have its day.