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The Suffering Of
Jesus Christ (CLICK YOUR BROWSERS "BACK" BUTTON WHEN FINISHED) |
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Many books have been written on this topic. We are not going to even begin to examine all that goes with this subject. But it would be wrong to study
suffering and Christians without exploring the suffering of
Christ.
When we say “suffering”, what do we mean by that word? Webster’s defines “to suffer” this way, “1) to endure death, pain, or distress, 2) to sustain loss or damage, 3) to be subject to disability or handicap.” According to this definition, when could suffering first be applied to the life of Jesus Christ? His first loss occurred with His incarnation. He lost the glory of living in Heaven and in the presence of the Father to become a Man on earth. There must have been times of suffering as He was growing up, the distress that comes with living life - conflict with siblings, physical pain, loss of friends as they move away or die. The most intense of all His sufferings seem to be in the last days of His ministry. The Bible says that when they arrested Jesus in the garden everyone deserted Him. Every friend, every disciple, everyone He knew left Him. He was alone. He faced the humiliation for being put on trial by His peers, even though He had never sinned. He endured the pain of seeing the crowds praise and worship Him one day and then a few days later; they were demanding His death. He suffered verbal harassment from the soldiers. The Romans whipped him until there was no skin on His back. After being physically and emotionally tormented and exhausted, He was made to carry His own cross to the site of His crucifixion. None of us has a frame of reference to imagine the pain and humiliation of the cross. It was one of the cruelest punishments of that day. Beyond anything we have witnessed in our country. He was stripped of His clothes and put on public display naked. He experienced severe pain as He was nailed to the cross. Then He experienced the agony of a gradual asphyxiation while hanging on the cross. How did He respond, what did He say through it all? Did He shout obscenities back at His tormentors, as many people to day would do? Did He try to escape? Did He present a full and intricate defense? Did He express anger or hate towards those who persecuted Him? No, He showed us what it really means to be Godly. He portrayed the true character of God who lived in a human form for a few years on earth. He speaks to the Father on their behalf, God intercedes for them, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) He asks for their forgiveness. The cross is about forgiveness. It seems to me that all of life and death and eternity hang in the balance on that one word - forgiveness. It is one of the most powerful forces in our world. It has the power to reconcile us to God. It has the power to heal relationships. It has the power to build bridges between nations. God extends His hand to us through the death of Christ on the cross for forgiveness of our sins. He gives us hope for today, and for eternity through the resurrection of Jesus. A.W. Tozer said, “Do we rightly understand the resurrection? It placed a glorious crown upon all of Christ’s sufferings. Do we realize the full significance of Jesus Christ being seated today at the Father’s right hand - seated in absolute majesty and kingly power, sovereign over every power in heaven and on earth? Not only did the suffering of Christ bring us forgiveness, but His resurrection brings us hope and a new power and His presence to live this life. His sufferings also give an example on how to endure the trials and adversities we face. I Peter 2:20-24 says: “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” What do all these verses mean when it comes to meeting life head on? How do we apply them to our day-to-day responses? What do you do when unjustly believed to be guilty of a wrongdoing? Do you immediately rush to defend yourself and prove that you are right? Or, do you seek to follow Christ’s example and patiently endure? What do you do when you are in an unhealthy relationship, whether it is a marriage or parent/child or friendship? Do you constantly try to change the other person or change your circumstances so that you won’t have to suffer? Do you feel sorry for yourself? Are you constantly focused on your problem? Or, are you focused on God? Do you have the assurance that He knows your hurt and has experienced it also? Can you trust God with your life, your circumstance? What do you do if you are ridiculed by your peers? Do you run to God with your hurt? Do you seek God for comfort? Or, do you run to other people, food or alcohol? There are an infinite number of situations in life where you experience adversity or suffering. Can you believe that Jesus has experienced even more? He gives us the same power to deal with those tough circumstances just as He did - He patiently endured. He didn’t do it by gritting His teeth and toughing it out. He did it by entrusting Himself to the Father. You can do the same. God in His grace comes generously to us. You receive it through focusing on Him rather than self - you surrender. God’s grace, my surrender. © 1998, Scope Ministries International, Inc.
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