Today and every day, Jesus invites us to join his club—not an exclusive club by any means (Jn 3:16). The purpose of the club is to give its members a rich and satisfying life (Jn 10:10)…But there is one caveat, all members must first suffer in some deep and personal way (Mk 2:7: Matt 11:28-30). Prostitutes (Lk 7:44-47) and tax collectors are more than welcome (Lk 19:5-10).
Paul learned that his worldly credentials were garbage (Phil 3:7-8) while pain, suffering and weakness gained him easy access (2 Cor 11:24-30).
In 2 Corinthians 1:1-5, Paul prays a most beautiful Jesus Club prayer…welcoming suffering as a prerequisite for the comfort of Jesus…welcoming the suffering of others so he might share the comfort of Jesus with others.
This becomes a most unique and wonderful club…a crystal blue persuasion as Tommy James says years ago.