Suffering is the only way to reach the Cross and the sure path to Christ's Loving Mercy!

Suffering is the only way to reach the Cross and the sure path to Christ’s Loving Mercy!

More than once from many prophets, both past and present, present the followers of God and his Christ to reach the truth of salvation through suffering.  We find more than a few segments from the Book of Psalms where the fact of wisdom showed people who needed  understanding from their various straying was brought about through some type of loss called suffering.  “Remember your word to your servant by which you give me hope.  This is my comfort in affliction, your promise that gives me life.”  (Ps 119: 49 - 50).  “You have treated your servant well, according to your word, O Lord.  Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust.  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to your promise.”  (Ps 119: 65 - 67).

“Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.  But he was crushed for our offenses, crushed for our sins.”  (Is 53: 4 - 5)).  

“Why did I not perish at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?  Or why was I not buried away like an untimely birth, like babies that have never seen the light?”  (Jb 3: 11, 16). 

“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.  Do not fear what they fear; Do not be frightened.”  (1 Pt 3: 14).  

Should we seek suffering willingly or just sit and allow the actions of what some may name it as evil?  With Jesus, he knew what the culmination of his ministry would be like.  Since Jesus is God and the decision to answer his Father’s wishes to bring about our salvation through the Cross and the ultimate ignominy would be more than any human could endure, he said yes to the Incarnation.   Through the Incarnation the second person of the Trinity took on humanity in the Hypo-static union and lived his 33 years in ministry suffering from the moment  he appeared where John the Baptist was baptizing.  His Father was well pleased when the words were heard by many; You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  (Lk 3: 22).  From that point all that occurred with Jesus were temptations, scrutiny and disbelief, accusations of blasphemy, and finally going to the Cross in our place.

Should we attempt to walk this same path, taking upon ourselves the sins of those who have become our enemies, and suffer extraordinary punishment for another person?  If I was to say yes, many would think me a promoter of Masochism or sadism.  This isn’t what I am prescribing here, although what Jesus did would adhere to a similar objective.  However, what anyone wants to place in front of these actions, remember God (The Trinity) knew in order for mankind to reach eternity with God forever, a plan had to be formulated to forgive man;s rejection of goodness, and the debt that we created could only be paid by a divine person.  Since God is the only divine person, he paid the price by suffering and dying/resurrecting as a man in our place.

Can any of us do the same?  Remember it takes courage to die for another human being.   As we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, the infusion of the Holy Spirit, let this powerful truth become a mandate each of us has been blessed to be part of, today and forever.

Ralph B. Hathaway