Good Morning My Friends! Today is a somber day. Every time I read about Jesus’ suffering, my heart is full of sorrow. It’s hard to start the day on such a sorrowful note, but alas, this is the part of the Easter story we are embracing today. Suffering was a part of Jesus’ purpose.
Jesus Must Suffer
“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Luke 9:22).
Have you ever loved someone so much that when you watch them suffer, you suffer too? Have you ever suffered just knowing about someone else’s suffering?
I have.
My inner being feels a deep sadness or mental pain. This sadness I feel is even more intensified with Jesus because I know He suffered for me. He took my place because of my sin. I make this personal because it’s true. He suffered and died because I’m a sinner. Here’s a hard truth to swallow: we’re all sinners and He suffered on our behalf.
It breaks my heart to know He suffered so much because He loves us so much and He wants to offer us eternal life.
Here are things Jesus suffered (Matthew 26 and 27):
- They spit in his face and struck him with their fists.
- They slapped him.
- They mocked him: “Prophecy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”
- He was flogged (beat with a whip).
- He was stripped of his clothing.
- They put a crown of thorns on his head.
- They mocked him: “Hail king of the Jews!”
- They spit on him again.
- They took a staff and struck him on the head again and again.
- They offered him wine mixed with gall (contents of a gallbladder) to drink.
- They crucified (nailed his hands and feet to a wooden cross) him.
- They hurled insults at him while he was hanging on the cross.
- They gambled for his clothing.
- They offered him a sponge filled with vinegar to drink while on the cross.
I simply can’t put into words what my heart feels right now as I ponder and remember how my Savior, my Lord, suffered because I sin. I have not always refrained from sinful behaviors and attitudes.
Jesus didn’t suffer just for those who were alive at the time of his death. He suffered for all men and all women past, present, and future.
That means He suffered for you too.
Others Suffer Too
I know many people suffer incredible pain. For some, the suffering is indescribable. I currently think of the people in Syria who have been struck by a chemical weapon. I think of their many burns. How painful that is.
When I was 10 years old I suffered a third degree burn on my thigh. Boiling water spilled onto my leg. The pain shot through my body and sent me into an upright position. I stood there screaming like I’ve never screamed in my life. The pain was unbearable.
So, I understand a little what it’s like to be burned, but not like the Syrian people are experiencing currently. The pain and the death of many is great. All because of an evil leader.
Evil leaders did not just exist in history. They are present.
Likewise, people have suffered since the beginning of sin.
Nevertheless, Jesus suffered the most.
I want you to remind you are not alone in your suffering, whatever it may be. There have been many throughout generations and in every generation who suffer:
- Job: “And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me” (Job 30:16).
- David: “From my youth I have suffered and been close to death; I have borne your terrors and am in despair” (Psalm 88:15).
- Isaiah: “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back” (Isaiah 38: 17).
- People in Syria: “News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24).
- Paul: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17).
Pain and suffering is a part of this earthly life because of sin.
Pain and suffering had to happen to Jesus. There was no other way for Him to fulfill Scripture and His purpose. To conquer sin, Jesus had to suffer the ultimate suffering.
Comfort in Suffering
I want you to know there can be comfort in suffering. My comfort comes from the Lord Himself.
“For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones” (Isaiah 49:13).
He actually speaks to us.
“But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction” (Job 36:15).
When we suffer because of Jesus, which we will if we are Christ-followers, we are blessed.
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’” (1 Peter 3:14).
He promises to preserve our life even though we suffer.
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119:50).
We can be sure Jesus understands our suffering and pain. We can also be sure He will comfort us because He Himself has suffered greatly for us.
Do This in Remembrance of Me
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
Jesus understands our suffering more than anyone. He Himself suffered greatly, and He was perfect, without sin. He was God Himself!
Have you ever considered what the world would be like if Jesus had decided to avoid His suffering? I actually shudder to think about it.
We would have absolutely no hope. If Jesus had decided this suffering was too hard and taken the attitude, “I can’t do this. I can’t bare this pain. I won’t do this,” we would be without a Savior.
We would have no comfort for our own suffering.
We would be doomed.
If Jesus suffered, we can be sure we will too. We can’t avoid it. In this world we will have trouble, but remember Jesus paid the ultimate price. He suffered more than any human being ever through physical pain, humiliation, and disrespect.
If you have suffered in any of these ways, remember, Jesus Himself suffered more, and because of this He understands more than any other human what you are going through.
He wants you to not avoid the suffering. Rather, He wants to embrace the suffering with you so that like all those who have gone before us, we may overcome.
I end today’s devotion with a couple of things. Please do not underestimate the purpose of your suffering. There is always a purpose.
Embrace your suffering whatever it is because God has a plan for you. Do not try to avoid suffering. Do not take the attitude, “I can’t do this. I won’t do this.” Don’t give up. Consider what the consequence of that may be.
Above all, remember today what Jesus Himself endure for you.
Hope for Today
[callout]Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)[/callout]
Just for Today
Refrain from Avoiding Suffering. Embrace Suffering!
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