The Sufferings of Jesus

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Be careful what you pray for – you might get what you asked for.”

Over the past few weeks, that has been my experience.

A few weeks ago I was convicted by our pastor's sermon. In our journey through The Story, a novelized and chronological version of The Bible, we had reached the book of Daniel. In light of the boldness of the men who's lives are recorded in that book, our pastor challenged us, “Are you a Christian of convenience, or a Christian of conviction?” I was particularly challenged about how shallow my times with God had become because of my busy schedule.

So, I prayed two days later to experience more of Him, to know Him better, and to experience His resurrection power. The Apostle Paul prayed a similar prayer in Php 3:10. “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...”

God answered Paul's prayer for me, because my prayer could not be answered without the part I left out. In order to know the power of His resurrection, I had to participate in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.

Well, that evening Jesus started to answer my prayer. I can't go into the details, but I made a very innocent mistake (perhaps it could have been avoided if I had sought counsel) that was totally misunderstood. I was so misunderstood that I was informed that my membership in a particular organization was in jeopardy. I was stunned, shocked, devastated, hurt beyond description.

As the tears flowed, I prayed “God, it hurts so much!” Then it struck me – Jesus was misunderstood more than any person who has ever lived! He came to show God's love, to bring salvation and hope. He was God incarnate, and was condemned to die on a cross as a criminal. Jesus was misunderstood!

My emotional pain was minuscule compared to what Jesus faced. I would have done anything to avoid that pain, yet Jesus came to earth knowing He would face the pain of being misunderstood!

With that glimmer of understanding the sufferings of Christ, I was also able to pray resurrection power over my depression, over Satan’s desire to cause division, and Satan’s desire to ruin the great blessings God has been bringing in my life. I haven’t been so deep with Jesus in a long time. I’m not sure that I have ever prayed with such power against Satan.

I wish the story ended there. Not many days later, the resurrection power was gone and the depression was exerting itself. Praise God for the support, encouragement and prayers of my small group. I got through that challenge and things were sorted out.

However, I still didn't feel as close to Jesus as I wanted to be. I had let the depression get in the way. I again prayed to be closer to Him and to know Him at a deeper level. (I should have learned the first time that that was a dangerous prayer!)

I had always thought of the suffering mentioned in Php 3:10 in terms of His physical sufferings and in terms of persecution – boy did I miss something major! God gave me the opportunity to experience another aspect of Jesus' sufferings. This time I learned what betrayal feels like.

I have had a homemaker coming to my home for 8 years to help with housework. I was given this blessing shortly after my husband left and my life fell apart completely. I was in tremendous need of all kinds of help, and God provided in many ways. I have had the same women coming to help for eight yeas. We have developed a friendship that goes beyond her work hours at my home. I am now certain that over the past 2 years she has stolen at least $250 from me. Losing the money is painful enough when you have so little income. However the greater pain was the pain of being betrayed by a friend.

I have known my entire Christian life that Jesus was betrayed by a friend. This is the first time I have had any understanding of what that FEELS like. The emotional anguish was so deep I felt like throwing up for the next few days. Again, what I faced was nothing compared to the emotional pain Jesus went through as not only one friend betrayed Him (for a mere 30 pieces of silver), but all of the disciples fled when He was arrested. Peter denied that he ever even knew Jesus!

My prayer life has deepened incredibly. I am getting deeper into God's Word again. I have an appreciation for what Jesus did for me that I pray I will never lose. Jesus came to die for us, knowing full well what He would face. He knew He would face misunderstanding, betrayal and abandonment. He knew He would face the worst torture mankind has ever come up with. He knew He would carry the weight of all our sin. He KNEW what He would face, and He still came to die for you and me, and those around us!

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!!!