We have been doing a study on Wednesday nights at Calvary dealing with suffering. One of the main sources (other than the Bible) I have used is Michael Card's book A Sacred Sorrow. This has been challenging and encouraging to me personally and I believe God's church corporately. Everyone suffers at some point in their lives and we need to know what to do and how to respond biblically. Our study last night took us in the direction of how Jesus brings all suffering together to make sense of it all. Let me share some highlights.
1. Job's Faithfulness through Suffering.
Job lost everything and yet never gave up. He refused to let go of God...the only one who could make sense of his mountain of pain. Despite bad advise from his wife and friends he remained faithful. Would it pay off in the end?
Jesus epitomized faithful obedience to the Father in suffering. His mountain of pain had eternal implications for depraved humanity. My lostness was redeemed through His suffering. Jesus was perfectly obedient and yet was repaid by the curse of hanging on a tree. He agonized to reconcile His will with that of His Father's in the garden. Would it pay off in the end?
For both Job and Jesus their faithfulness is beautifully paid in full. Both got God back and both became advocates...Job for his friends and Jesus for us all.
2. David's Laments Perfect Prophetic Pictures.
The details we find of the suffering Messiah in David's writings are unmatched (expect maybe through Isaiah):
- Psalm 69:12...the vinegar Jesus was given to drink.
- Psalm 109:25...the mocking of the crowd.
- Psalm 22:18...the soldiers gambling for Jesus' coat.
- Psalm 22:16...the nails to nail Jesus to the cross.
- Psalm 22:1...the greatest words of agonizing forsakenness.
On the cross Jesus gives voice to the mournful words of David's Psalms.
3. Jeremiah's Mourning Over Israel.
Jeremiah's warns and weeps over Israel who refused to listen and return to their protecting God. In the end both the nation and prophet would be torn apart. How could a chosen nation so favored by the Creator of the universe get into such a position?
Fast forward to Jesus just days before He walks the via dolorosa, and on two occasions He laments the condition of Jerusalem (Luke 13:34; 19:41-44). Jesus weeps unashamedly over the condition of the apple of God's eye. He sees their suffering in the future (70 AD) because of their hardness of heart and mourns. He doesn't move to fix the problem, He just cries.
Yes, all suffering comes together in Jesus. He gave up everything so we could have it all.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
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