Pain is never desired. Human suffering usually argued the worst kind of pain. Many skeptics argue the existence of God, or lack thereof, on the premise that a loving God would never allow the extent of human suffering in the world; therefore, a loving God doesn't exist. I remember watching a debate between the Way of the Master’s Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort and the Rational Response Squad’s Brian Sapient and Kelly O’Connor in May 2007. Kelly made her point very clear about her feeling of an afterlife if God did in fact exist (starting at 1:01 – 2:11). People, who have an issue with God, regardless if they believe He really exists or not, have a difficult time considering the humanity of God. He is celestial, heavenly, but mostly separated. Even if He is present, somewhere, I don’t notice it and therefore how can I feel comfort in that?
They say Jesus experienced every pain and suffering that a human has or could have ever felt. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) What is your greatest pain? What have you suffered the most? I live a very blessed life. I haven’t had to deal with starvation or had to employ survival techniques to make it through the day. I haven’t been imprisoned, tortured, had my children snatched up from me. I haven’t dealt with divorce. The pain I have felt seems shallow for me to compare to the extent of others' human sufferings. Because of this, many times I think my little “sufferings” aren’t worth His attention or being saved from it. But maybe I have the perspective all wrong.
Physical pain can be minimal and severe, but for the most part God has made it possible for our body to heal itself miraculously. Our pain could be chronic and thankfully there are treatments that can help alleviate most of the symptoms. But what is the worst suffering? When Jesus came into Jerusalem and those close to him thought this would be the day of deliverance for them, literally, it all turned for the worse. In this story, I sometimes notice the despair of the disciples and Jesus’ followers over Jesus’ suffering. Do you? Consider this: when he was betrayed and turned over, he didn’t even have the help of his followers to free him or plead his innocence, not that he would have wanted that anyway. His closest family on earth offered no help despite what they thought could be the coming nightmare.
Christ suffered pain but, worst of all, he experienced loneliness, knowing that no one was there to help and offer a hand when He needed it most. I can hear you saying but Christ had the Father. Jesus and Father are one. He had the comfort of the Father. That is true. I remember when Jesus was tempted and how his unity with the Father kept him from falling. Jesus also reassured us of the intimacy he has with the Father (John 17) and furthermore shared how we also can enter into the oneness and tenderness with the Father. But then, if you remember, in his darkest hour, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” as the Father turned His face away.
Jesus was all alone.
He has experienced it all. Remember that. He is there for everything you need even when you are alone and feel like those closest to you aren’t.
25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!”
31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Mark 15:25-34
32 days.
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