What does Jesus' suffering on Good Friday
tell us about God and our suffering?
By
Daniel Schuman
Albuquerque
is no stranger to suffering. The violent
crime rate in 2010 was higher than the national
violent crime rate average by 94.92%. Probably every one of us have grieved the
senseless murder of a friend or loved one. Others of us have experienced the
suffering of growing up without a Dad, leaving us vulnerable to poverty,
emotional scars, and physical abuse.
Single mothers birthed more than half the babies born in New Mexico in
2005, which is higher than the national average.
At
the same time, our beloved state has deep religious roots. During Holy Week, especially on Good Friday,
some thirty thousand people will make pilgrimage to the Catholic church-
Santuario de Chimayó. Some will walk
hundreds of miles. Others will carry
crosses. Why? For example, Elisabeth Sacco had buried four
of her loved ones during the last week, and it was all she could do to keep
herself together as she reached the Santuario de Chimayó. The walk, she said, helped her cope with the
deaths.
One
of the most troubling issues for people, whether they consider themselves
religious or not, is understanding the presence of suffering in the world. In fact, a Barna research poll found that the
one question people would ask God if they had the opportunity was: “Why is there so much suffering in the
world?” As New Mexicans, we are familiar with suffering, and most of us are
familiar with the term Good Friday, but many of us don’t understand what it
means. I want to identify what Jesus’
crucifixion on Good Friday tells us about God, and secondly, what Good Friday
shows us about how God relates to our suffering.
Like
Albuquerque, the God of the Bible is no stranger to suffering. The Bible teaches that Jesus was fully God,
and that He came to this earth, born of the virgin Mary, taking on flesh. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. This is called the “incarnation.” Being God, Jesus was completely sinless. Being human, Jesus experienced things common
to humanity such as: hunger, thirst, pain, and even death.
The
murder of Jesus on what is called “Good Friday” is the most horrific event in all
of history. It is physical trauma, it’s
ribbon-shredded flesh, it’s nakedness and shame, it’s the wrath of God being
poured out, and it is glorious! But, you
interject, “How can this be good?”
Hebrews 12:2-3 states, “...looking to Jesus, the founder and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne
of God. Consider him who endured from
sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or
fainthearted.”
First
we need to realize that Jesus was not suffering because of His sin. He was sinless. The Bible teaches that those who place their
confidence in Jesus as their substitute, trusting Jesus lived the perfect life
that you could never live, and took the punishment that you deserve; you can be
the beneficiary of all that He achieved.
So, on Good Friday Jesus was suffering because of my sins and your sins! By placing your confidence in Jesus’
sacrifice on your behalf, you can know that the just punishment you deserve for
breaking God’s commands can be erased.
Furthermore,
on Good Friday Jesus was also suffering taking upon Himself the shame from the
ways that we have been shamefully sinned against by others; and thus, Jesus
removes our shame. This is called
“expiation.” This is great news for
those who feel violated and defiled by heinous acts committed against them. Jesus was publicly shamed, abused, and
crucified. For those trust in Him, Jesus
can and will restore their dignity and identity.
Suffering
is not something most of us would choose.
However, Jesus willingly chose suffering! Why?
So, He could sympathize with our suffering, and so we could have the
opportunity to be reconciled to God.
But, why does God still allow suffering?
I
believe one reason that God allows suffering in this life, is so that we
realize something is wrong with this world.
Things are not as they should be.
Things need to be set right. Towards the end of “The Lord of the Rings”, Samwise Gamgee
awakens after much suffering. He says, “Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then
I thought I was dead! Is everything sad going to come untrue?” Pastor and
author Tim Keller, who spoke at the 9/11 fifth anniversary responded, “The answer is yes. And the answer of the
Bible is yes. If the resurrection is true, then the answer is yes. Everything
sad is going to come untrue.”[4]
God knows and feels what we do. He has wept, He has suffered,
and He too had a beloved Son violently murdered. And because Jesus, the God-Man died, and rose
again victoriously; those who trust in Jesus can be assured, in time,
everything sad is going to come untrue! In
Revelation, the last book of the Bible, Jesus promises that He is preparing a
new home for His children, where there will be no more suffering, no more
death, and no more tears.
Let’s enter into Good Friday, with all it’s suffering, and
remember that even the most bitter of circumstances can be sweetened by the
hope in the promises of God’s redeeming grace through Jesus’ life, death, and
resurrection. Therefore, Jesus’
suffering on Good Friday and your suffering are not meaningless. Rather, they are the doorway to enter into
hope, healing, and where everything sad can come untrue!
Daniel
is the worst sinner that he knows, but as He reminds himself of Jesus’ life,
death, and resurrection on his behalf, he is realizing that he is more loved
and welcomed than he ever dared dream!
Daniel serves as the Director of Biblical Living at Mars Hill Church
Albuquerque.
No comments:
Post a Comment