Ultimate Empathy from the Ultimate Sufferer: Finding Jesus in Suffering

The topic of suffering has come to my mind much in these last few weeks. I have been praying about what it is I am to write about this. I have struggled with this myself, because I almost feel as though this post has no place in American culture. Suffering? What does that look like for people who have it all? And while I have had my fair share of bitterness, largely due to the overwhelming majority of the sheer selfishness of Americans, I conclude that there is a great amount of suffering that takes place in America.

Loss of a child or loved one. Grief. Sorrow. Sadness.

Spiritual suffering of the saints. Persecution. Opposition. Oppression.

Adversity. Pain. Sickness. Disease.

So many times this topic has breached my own selfish thoughts. I have known suffering, but not to the likes of many people. But my heart is exceedingly compassionate toward those who walk through the fires of adversity - one circumstance after another and another. I know what it feels like to be knocked down and beaten down by one thing after the next, where there is no end in sight and hope grows dim. So, anyone out there who is suffering in any way, I assure you that I feel the weight.

But can I assure you of something else? Something that is much greater than the words of any finite mind to muster: Jesus Christ is the ultimate sufferer. His life was marked by "grief and sorrow." He is the suffering servant that Isaiah prophecies about hundreds of years before his birth (see Isaiah 52:13-53). Amidst our pain; amidst the trials and tribulations we encounter, we have the most powerful and beautiful display of God's love for mankind: Jesus Christ, the sin-bearing, chosen Servant of God. He was chosen to bear the sin of humanity; chosen to be held accountable and found guilty of sin against a holy God, although he "knew no sin" and became sin in order that we would be reconciled to the Father (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). This is how God chose to demonstrate his love for us that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." While we were sinners - enemies of God - and guilty of sinning against him, Jesus died FOR us to satisfy the wrath of God against sin. The holiness of God demands justice for sin and justice should be served to the guilty, right? Right. Only Jesus wasn't guilty of sin. But in order to fulfill all righteousness, he was obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Perhaps this is something we will never comprehend fully because it goes against every reasonableness of man's wisdom. The cross is "foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). 

Therefore, if anyone knows suffering it is Jesus. He is the only one worthy to be called the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (see John 1:29). Jesus did not lose his divinity in becoming like us. He was still God and human flesh at the same time. That is utterly and completely baffling if you really think about it. It is a complete paradox! The God-man. And yet this is God's way of salvation. We cannot comprehend fully what God sets forth to accomplish (see Ecclesiastes 3:11, 14-15; Isaiah 55:8-9). He offers us salvation and we must either reject him or receive him with complete faith and trust that he is who he says he is. And let me tell you my friend, he certainly IS who he says he is! And that is why we can run to him when we are afflicted, beat down, suffering adversity, or just trying to keep our head above water. Jesus welcomes us and invites us to cast ourselves at his mercy seat, Jesus Christ. And because of Jesus' sufferings, we can know that our own suffering is perfectly understood from the one whose ultimate suffering paid the price for the sins of men (see Hebrews 4:14-16)! 

The New Testament epistles speak into the sufferings we endure. And while we in America do not likely endure persecution for our faith (which is an ever increasing trend), we endure much adversity and suffering in this life. We can find comfort in knowing that Jesus empathizes with us in our weaknesses! We can also find comfort in knowing that what we as Christians endure in suffering, is what Christ himself suffered when he went to the cross. Peter speaks of this when he encourages believers to "not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange things happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12-13). These words should achieve sheer comfort in the life of a believer. When we are afflicted, our comfort is found in the word of God. And although at times it may feel like we have lost all hope, we cling to him who is our only hope: Jesus, the eternal Word! Paul's letters from prison serve as a humbling example of the suffering he endured, for he pens "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed...So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18).

In closing, what do we gain by succumbing to the "light momentary affliction?" We must understand that these things we face on this earth are NOT eternal! We will not carry such pain and affliction into eternity, so why do we fix ourselves upon it? Why are we almost despairing when we possess a perfect, imperishable inheritance that has been waiting for us to take hold of when we enter our eternal home in heaven?! We have the promises of God's word and yet we do not fix our gaze upon them. In other words, we have the answer right in front of us, but refuse to be set free by the truth. It is my prayer for you as well as for myself (because I'm preaching to myself here) that we will pursue a firm grip on God's promises to his saints in his word. Where else can we have such assurance of our eternal inheritance? Nowhere! Stand fast, my brother or sister in Christ! Do not be beat down by these light and momentary afflictions! Christ is coming and we shall take hold of our imperishable inheritance as children of God very soon. Let us run this race together, serving and encouraging one another all the more as we see the Day approaching. Grace and peace to you in our Lord Jesus Christ!