“A Prophetic Word” Day 59: Not all suffering is the same.

The nature of our suffering is determined by what brought us to suffering, and the expectation associated with the suffering.

Consider, someone may be experiencing severe abdominal pain that leads them to fear, the expectation being that great bodily damage or death may result.

However, that pain being experienced by a woman who has been carrying a child for nine months, signals that a child is about to be brought into the world. Now, whereas in both cases there is considerable pain—possibly even more pain in the second scenario than in the first—the posture, the attitude toward the suffering, will differ greatly, and of course, the outcome will be very different.

When Jesus was expressing the suffering He would endure, Peter took Him aside and said that He really should not be talking like that as those things should not happen to Him. Jesus’ reaction to Peter’s rebuke was rather surprisingly severe, basically calling him Satan and a hindrance to the plan of God.

Indeed, the plan of the Father required a Holy Sacrifice. In fact, Jesus expressed more than once that He would not turn away from the suffering into which fulfillment of the will of the Father would place Him.

Now, when Jesus was crucified, a thief was crucified on either side of Him. As well, the practice of crucifixion was widespread at that point in time. As such, we know that there were many others who suffered as they were executed in this way. However, they were being crucified because they were either guilty of some crime or had been successfully accused of committing a crime deemed worthy of that execution. But none of the suffering of any of those others being crucified had the hope of anything good coming from their suffering, only death.

Jesus had great hope for what would result from His suffering. The writer of Hebrews gives us insight into Jesus‘ focus during His suffering:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Jesus willingly suffered for our benefit. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9 ESV)

For us, suffering meant to bring a righteous result, such as purification of the soul or strengthening of our steadfastness, etc., if it is not embraced, can prove to have the opposite result of that intended by the Lord. For example, we are told that if we refuse the discipline of the Lord, we jeopardize our position as His child.

Clearly, what we share here is not meant to imply that we should celebrate all suffering. Suffering as a result of our own misguided actions, has no hope of glory. In those cases we must repent and ask God for mercy.

However, suffering resulting from our following Jesus, should be endured with joy, trusting the Lord to help us outlive the suffering, while continuing to strengthen us as we walk in the midst of trouble.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

Matthew 16:24-26 ESV

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!