Jesus suffered all the same things we suffer.
I've been reading in my daily devotionals about how God expects us, not only to follow Him and to keep His commandments, but be willing to share in Jesus' suffering. It got me thinking about how He really did suffer the same kinds of things we do, so He really does know and understand. It's hard to think of Him as actually going through some of the "little" things we go through in life, but He did. Think of the times you've been misunderstood by your family or maybe criticized for no reason, then try to think about how it might have been for Jesus when He was a young boy. Even though His mom and dad knew who He was and why He was here, it was probably hard for them (in their human understanding) not to question some of the things He did. They must have been pretty teed off when He stayed behind at the temple, hanging out with the priests and elders, and they had to turn around and go all the way back to find Him!
When people talk bad about us when we didn't do anything wrong, it really hurts. Heck, it even hurts when we're talked about when we did do something wrong. Well, Jesus certainly had His share of that, and He never did a thing to deserve it. Most of the town-folk all thought He was crazy, and they used to call Him names and throw stones at Him every chance they got. Later on they got tired of that and tried to have Him arrested. No matter what He did, they tormented Him and made His life miserable.
We whine and complain all the time, about how tough our lives are, but we can't even begin to imagine what it was like for Him. He met with opposition no matter where He went or what He did, and was even physically abused. The very people He wanted to help, hated Him with a vengeance. The amazing thing about it all was, no matter what they did to Him, He never wavered in His love for them and sacrificed Himself daily for their sakes.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is our example and we are to follow in Him, but most people don't even think about the part that says to share in His suffering, too. I guess most of us think about the suffering part of Jesus' life, as the task He was sent here to do, so it doesn't really apply to us. It does apply to us. Part of His suffering was to teach us how to deal with all the hard things we all have to go through in this world. Every single thing He ever went through in this life, is an example for us to follow. Sharing in His suffering is just as much a part of following Him as is keeping His commandments.
So why do we have to suffer?
The trouble is, we get too darn comfortable when things are going our way, and far too often, we begin to feel as if we're pretty powerful in our own strength. What need do we have for God when things are going great and we're handling things just fine? Unfortunately, this is the nature of man, and I guess we need a reminder now and then that we're really not all that. When trials and tribulations hit, it causes us to stop and realize just how small and helpless we really are, and most of us do turn to God in these situations. Disasters, especially, cause us to stop and reflect, and most always prompt us to look towards the heavens and seek our Creator. Even people who deny His existence seem to look to the heavens for help during a disaster! Most of us remember how thousands of people flocked to churches and prayed after the twin towers were attacked, but, sadly, all the praying and looking up to heaven didn't last long. It never fails that when things start to return to normal, we soon forget our need for God and return to our old ways!
When a person goes through any kind of suffering, it usually changes him and this is what God is looking for. There's a lesson to be learned in every single trial we may go through, and as we go through each one, we are also being refined to become more and more like Jesus. This is something we could never do on our own, so suffering with Him is probably the most important part of our journey here on this earth!
It's amazing to think of how Jesus, who was perfect, was so willing to suffer for our sakes. We should all stop and think of Him the next time we're feeling sorry for ourselves and wondering why we're so persecuted. He not only suffered throughout His life to be an example for us, but took on all the sins and sufferings of the entire world. That's a lot of suffering and a lot of love.
("Suffering") Revised 9/28/09
I've read this and your last post word for word somewhere else...but I can't remember where. Maybe I read this in a book you wrote?
ReplyDelete(If so, what's the name?)
Anyways, this is something that really pulls me through.
When I look up from my frustrations and see Jesus with His hand on my shoulder, everything becomes easier.
It's like realising you're in dream. When the fourth wall is broken, and you realise you are just repeating what Someone else has been through, things don't seem so bad. :)
You probably read it right here. :o) I had it published here under the name "Suffering" but I have since revised it and added to it. It still contains much of what was in the other version, just a little more.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it helps you. It does me, too. Many times when I'm writing, I have a single thought in my head and then it seems like God starts giving me words I never even thought of. I learn a lot from my own writing sometimes lol.
I'm glad you liked it.
Take care and God bless.
Oh yeah...:p
ReplyDeleteI kind of have something that falls under this catagory today.
Last night, God guided me to sharpie some "God words" like love, mercy, pure, and forgiveness on my hands to remind me when I start to slip.
This morning, I read my devotional, and the quote of the day was something like:"And I have inscribed You on my hands so I don't forget" from Issiah.
I was like: 0.o
Then my grandma saw the words I had on my ahands and started going into a crying,screaming fit, telling me to wash them off, and how she wished I wasn't so different.
She said if I wanted to be some weird religious freak,I would have to wait until move out... :(
That kinda (really) hurt. T_T
God told me that He had told me to do that so I could see how unaccepting people are, even my own family.
He said unlike them, He would never treat me that way. :)
It's really hard to stay strong when you live with people who are not Christian. I grew up in a non-Christian home and was constantly surrounded by violence and cursing.
ReplyDeleteI learned it's okay to be a "quiet" Christian, meaning it's okay to not broadcast it, especially around people it would provoke.
Remember, it's what's inside of you that shines the light, not outward appearances!
If it helps you to write things on your hands, just don't let your grandmother see it. We can be an example to people just by living for Christ. She will still see His characteristics in you...and hopefully they will touch her. She cannot fly into a rage over something inside of you...it's who you are.
The Bible says we're not to offend...you can't witness to someone if they are offended by you. Paul said he was whatever he had to be when around certain people (when with the Jews, he was a Jew, when with the gentiles, a gentile.) That doesn't mean we act like the people we're around, only that we don't flaunt our differences to them. This way they are more accepting and they will still see there is something different about us and hopefully, like it and want to know more.
It's still hard to have to endure being around cursing and all that, but if you pray and ask God to help you He will. Try to remember, the difference is, you have God and she doesn't, so she doesn't care if she offends you. When you are kind to her and quiet about who you are, she will be more accepting and you will be doing far more, as far as witnessing to her, than by wearing your Christianity on your sleeve. And pray for her every day. She really needs your prayers!
Yes, you are very precious to the Lord. Sometimes family can be the worse ones to hurt and reject us in life. My family is that way with me, even to this day.
I would like to thank you for reminding me yesterday, that I should add "revised" to any post I revise lol. I wasn't even thinking that people have read the old versions. I also have a lot of my articles posted elsewhere on the web so it's possible you read some of them somewhere else.
Take care and God bless!