There was one thing that Jesus understood we had to endure, that is suffering. He did not want us to be without them, nor did he want us to leave the world without experiencing them(John 17:15). The more I dwelt on the suffering of this world, both for me and in others, I came to realize that to follow Jesus means that we will go through it at certain times in our life.
But why?
Can we not be saved from suffering if we follow Jesus? Couldn't God just take all suffering away from us so we can live a joyful and easy life? It sounds good and it would be a great way to talk people into being a Christian. "Come join us because we who don't suffer anything!"
Ah, but something seems off with that statement. We want comfort, but this world is not meant for our comfort. We want to live an easy life, but the world is not after our laziness. We want to seclude ourselves from suffering, but the world does not need our ignorance. Jesus knew this. That's why He came down to Earth to live a life that is filled with temptations and suffering so we would know that He understands what we are going through. As Hebrews 4:15 reads,
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin."(NIV)
Many think that Jesus came to Earth to suffer so we do not have to and instead allow us to live a comfortable life. I don't think that was ever the mission that Jesus had for us, yet many seem to preach this. Why? Because that is something we all want in our lives. It is what the world seeks. An easy and comfortable life. That is why in Heaven there will be no suffering, but on Earth, where the devil reigns, we will see suffering and there will be sorrow. This is a guarantee. That is what Jesus said would be the case. We have overcome the world and its ruler, the devil, as Jesus did. But that is not so for everyone else who are still living in bondage of sin. How can we reach those who are hurting and suffering and that do not know that Jesus came to set them free? Do we not have to leave the kingdom of heaven to be the kingdom to those around us? We have to get dirty in order to reach those who are dirty. Jesus had to die outside the city gates(Heaven) in order to reach those who are on the outside...that is us. (Heb. 13:12). That is why Jesus wanted us to remain here on Earth for this reason, to be little Christ's to those around us. To bring the kingdom of God to those who desperately seek it.
So what happens when we suffer, when we are hurt and do not want to reach out to people? When pain hurts as a knife to the heart? Paul wanted us to remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33. He writes that that we should be joyful in hope knowing that Jesus has overcome the world, to be patient in our suffering and to always be constant in prayer(Rom. 12:12).
And then, as I realized the truthfulness of this. It all made sense. It was not about us, it was never about our suffering or our pain. No, no, no. Jesus suffered on the cross, not for himself, but for US! He knew the mission of God, and that is why he told us to have peace in him as his peace came from the Father above. We too, are pointing others to Jesus through our own suffering. Why? Because when we suffer, when we are torn down and broken, what we cling to is what our foundation is made of. And if our foundation is Jesus, we will have peace, even if the waves seem as if they would take us under. It is a foundation that will not give way or fall beneath the crashing waves of life.
And when we hold to this, others will see. They will ponder why someone can be so broken and still have peace. Where they might falter, you do not. Where they turn to their old habits, you do not. When they do not see a meaning to life, you do as you cry out for Jesus. And when you realize that the suffering you experience was not just about you, but for others to see so they too might believe, it will change you. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9,16-18 speaks to this:
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay
to show that this all-surpassing power is from God
and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed.
Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though, outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal." (NIV)
