Thought for the Week

Jesus – the Sufferer

Luke 22v22 “The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed.”

There is a song,

“I do not know what lies ahead,

the way I cannot see;

yet one stands near to be my guide,

he’ll show the way to me.”

It is often best we do not know our exact futures. But Jesus knew from early on that he was present on the earth to suffer and to die. He explained this to his disciples several times, but they could not grasp it: they were expecting something quite different. Sometimes the expectation of suffering can be as bad or worse than the suffering itself. No wonder Jesus cried out in Gethsemane for “the cup” of suffering to be taken from him. No wonder he sweat was “like drops of blood falling to the ground”.

The Psalmist said in ancient times, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Psalm 23v4.

Why do I not need to fear? When Jesus suffered, he was cut off from his Father for a brief period as he took the punishment for our sin. It was anguish for him who had been in communion with the Father from eternity. But he did that, so that you and I could be at one with the Father all our days and into eternity. Jesus was forsaken by the Father at the cross. You will never be forsaken by the Father. So in every situation we can be confident of his guiding and protecting hand.

With love and blessing,

Roland