Enduring Suffering
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Jesus hangs on a wooden cross, nails piercing His hands and feet. He raises Himself to catch a breath, which sends shooting pains throughout His body.
As He hangs there in agony, the crowd mocks Him: "He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him" (Matthew 27:42).
The sky grows dark. Jesus has hung on the cross for three hours. The pain intensifies as unyielding cramps torment His muscles.
Another three hours pass. Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
Soon, He realizes His end is near and prays, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46.)
Jesus dies.
With all the suffering of the cross, Jesus endured until His death. He endured the pain. The mocking. The loneliness. He endured it all. How?
I have a feeling if I were up there on that cross for too long, I would be tempted to yell out, "Take me down! I repent! I'll do anything you say, just take me off this cross!"
But Jesus didn't do that. He endured the cross because He knew there was joy ahead.
A few days later He would rise triumphantly from the grave. Death and the devil would be defeated. He would sit at the right hand of the Father in glory. His death would pay the penalty of sin for fallen man. He would spend eternity with those He died for. With all those beautiful treasures ahead, is it any wonder He endured the suffering of the cross?
We go through suffering too. Diseases torment our bodies. Friends forsake us. Loved ones die. We suffer, but are we enduring? Are we looking to Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith"? (Hebrew 12:2) Are we looking to Him for the hope of the joy that lies ahead? The joy that all this temporary suffering will be replaced with eternal glory? The joy that all our pain will flee and all our tears will be wiped away?
Keep the faith. It may seem dark now, but a light shines up ahead. Jesus' gentle voice is saying, "Follow me, I know the way."
Comments