Post by Admin on Apr 27, 2017 5:59:30 GMT
Tonight we had our last discussion in the series of “The Cross.” We opened with a lively exchange on the old conundrum: That God is either good and not almighty (to stop suffering in the world) or he could stop it and chooses not to do it – either way, how can we worship such a God? Among thoughts expressed was the observation that a mighty battle rages as Satan fights against God, and while Satan will not win in the end, in the course of this battle there will be collateral damage, in other words, suffering on earth. Other thoughts were that God has placed us on earth to be agents of good, not just to expect Him to correct everything. Later we talked a little about Job, who was afflicted with every type of suffering one could imagine, and after lamenting for many chapters, is finally told by God that He is the creator of the universe and doesn’t have to explain anything to Job (although He does relieve Job’s suffering and reward him).
That conversation led to consideration of Jesus’ suffering, which was the subject of the scripture passages tonight. Did Jesus have to suffer at his death, or would a quick and painless death have achieved the same objective of paying for the sin of Man? Some people felt that the suffering was inevitable because Jesus was a man, and acutely sensitive to the people he encountered, who suffered in various ways. Others felt that Jesus was purposeful in accepting His suffering, to become empathetic to us, and that by taking on the breadth and depth of all the sin of mankind, of course He would be in pain. He wanted to avoid the pain, as clear from his request that God pass on the plan for crucifixion, which again is a very human response. And after crying and pleading, he choose to obey God.
In the end, we cannot know why we are afflicted with any particular situation of suffering. Looking at Jesus, we can say that suffering is part of the sinful world in which we live, and that our challenge is to overcome the suffering, to obey the Lord as we pass through difficulties and tragedies, and to throw our hurt and fear on the Lord, for He is listening. Can we learn from suffering and be stronger from growing closer to the Lord in tough times: yes.
That conversation led to consideration of Jesus’ suffering, which was the subject of the scripture passages tonight. Did Jesus have to suffer at his death, or would a quick and painless death have achieved the same objective of paying for the sin of Man? Some people felt that the suffering was inevitable because Jesus was a man, and acutely sensitive to the people he encountered, who suffered in various ways. Others felt that Jesus was purposeful in accepting His suffering, to become empathetic to us, and that by taking on the breadth and depth of all the sin of mankind, of course He would be in pain. He wanted to avoid the pain, as clear from his request that God pass on the plan for crucifixion, which again is a very human response. And after crying and pleading, he choose to obey God.
In the end, we cannot know why we are afflicted with any particular situation of suffering. Looking at Jesus, we can say that suffering is part of the sinful world in which we live, and that our challenge is to overcome the suffering, to obey the Lord as we pass through difficulties and tragedies, and to throw our hurt and fear on the Lord, for He is listening. Can we learn from suffering and be stronger from growing closer to the Lord in tough times: yes.