³² But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated.

Memory is a good thing. God constantly reminded Israel during times of conflict and trials to remember how He delivered them in the past. These memories were often enshrined in the Jewish feasts, like the Passover feast, commemorating their deliverance out of slavery in Egypt. Think of the feasts of tabernacles, where the Jews were reminded yearly of their days of wilderness wanderings, living in tents because of their rebellion against entering the land. Then there were the stone monuments designed to remind the people of significant landmarks or events, like that which the two and a half-tribes built at the border near the Jordan river to remind everyone that, although they lived on the other side of the Jordan, they were still part of Israel.

Christians do well to remember as well the former days of their early Christian lives, how God has worked, the lessons they have learned, and the trials they have gone through. In particular, the readers of this letter “to the Hebrews” are encouraged to remember their earlier days of persecution. Basically, this is the admonition, “Don’t waste all the suffering for your faith then, by walking away from your faith now!” They had sacrificed so much in following Jesus instead of the Law of Moses, that to go back now would mean all that suffering was of no value, it was unnecessary and useless.

They had been “enlightened,” which could be taken as being informed and understanding the message of the sacrifice of Christ or it could mean they had been transformed and truly saved. Either way, they had the knowledge of Christ and they had been willing to suffer for it, or at least by identifying with those who suffered for it. They endured sufferings, “partly” in their own experience, and “partly” by communing with others who suffered.

At any rate, the suffering is described as a “great conflict.” Is this not what Jesus prophesied would happen (Luke 12:49-53)? Family members would turn against each other over Him. Jesus told James and John they would drink the same cup and be baptized with the same baptism as His, referring to suffering (Mark 10:39). In fact, Jesus promised them, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Lord, I hold on to Your promise that You have overcome the world, and that in You I can still have peace. You are the God of Peace!