An unblemished Sacrifice was needed.
The Man Christ Jesus, in His humanity, learned obedience (Hebrews 5:8) through the things He suffered. He had to learn the new experience of obedience in His new experience of being clothed with humanity as God the Son. He had always obeyed but He Himself was over and above all, so there was no one higher for Him to obey. He was always instantly obeyed by all the hosts of heaven. Can we even begin to grasp, to appreciate the cost, to get our minds and hearts around His tremendous condescension? He suffered without complaint (John 8:29) all that was necessary in this wicked, fallen world to do the will of His Father. Take another look at the first Adam. Before he fell, he didn’t know the meaning of the word suffering. He knew only perfection, no fear, no danger, no controversy, no lack of anything for sustenance, companionship, enjoyment, provision and beauty. Adam experienced nothing but joy and satisfaction. He never felt the slightest touch of suffering. With all that, freely provided, he yielded to temptation, sinned and caused the Fall of the whole human race and brought a curse upon the perfect created world. Jesus experienced unspeakable suffering – rejection, shame, slander, threats, murderous plots and more, all through His life until the climax of suffering at Gethsemane and Calvary – and He conquered.
It was Saturday night and I was thinking about taking Communion the next day. I was shaken by these thoughts that came suddenly, just as I was going to pray. I struggled through the night. When Jesus (Mark 15:34) cried out (screamed)? My God, why have you forsaken Me? – these words were forced out by pain much deeper, much more intense than the pain of flesh-tearing scourging and the pain caused by the hammering of 5 inch nails into His hands and feet. This was agony, torture beyond all levels. No human ever has or ever will experience the isolated anguish which was created only for the Son of God, our precious Saviour. I think we would lose our minds if we could fully comprehend what the Lamb of God endured.
Do we truly love Him – love Him so that everything else, except obeying Him fades into insignificance?
God was in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19) reconciling the world unto Himself. This is holy ground. Tremble before this PROOF that He was not willing (2 Peter 3:9) that any should perish. Since the Fall suffering has been the lot, in varying degrees, of every one of Adam’s descendants.
Do you wonder why Christians suffer? Take a deeper look at the 2 Adams and realize again that love comes in the gift wrap of suffering.
Saul (of Tarsus) had everything going for him and certainly no suffering. Of the Tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5) a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee concerning the Law – blameless. He had respect, position, influence, power and an enviable future. (Dr. Stanley) reminded us that all these things were given to him. Now consider Paul - - why did he say (2 Corinthians 12:10) he was well pleased with his infirmities? All that God was teaching him, the glorious truth God was revealing to him, cost him blood, toil, tears, beatings, stoning (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) and etc. The cost made the revelations of God much higher, of supreme value, above whatever the cost. That is why he says to us now (1 Thessalonians 5:18) “in everything give thanks for this is God’s will concerning you”. He is telling us that the rich spiritual benefits far outweigh the suffering. Because we know that God’s will and purpose for us is always for our good and our spiritual growth, we can truly be thankful even for things we can’t enjoy, as we look forward to the unwrapping of the rich, loving, spiritual treasures which are temporarily wrapped in the gift wrap of suffering.
All through the process of sanctification (1 Thessalonians 5:23) the Holy Spirit raises us from (2 Corinthians 3:18) one level of glory to another.
It seems to me that in recent times I have heard of more Christians being sick, having serious illness and dreadful accidents. I have absolute confidence in God’s Sovereignty and I know that nothing can happen unless He sends or allows it. But I was wondering why the recent increases in suffering for believers. It was the increase, not the suffering, which caused me to wonder. So, I talked it over with Lord and the following are the thoughts that came to me. See what you think.
Satan knows that his time is limited because (Romans 16:20) soon God will crush him under our feet. Satan and the entire force of all his demons can never undo our eternal salvation. So, he schemes and contrives to destroy our faith. If he can damage our faith so deeply, so badly that we actually badmouth God, it would be a big plus for the kingdom of darkness – as our testimony lies in the dirt. But why would our Sovereign God allow it? Listen to the reason and it will help you to discern the devil’s wiles.
So that the genuineness of your faith (1 Peter 1:7) may be tested, faith which is proved and purified by fire and is more precious than gold. Even as Satan’s purpose is to destroy our faith, God’s over-riding, conquering purpose is to strengthen, build, grow our faith. So that when the Son of man comes (Luke 18:8) He will find faith on the earth because we will be waiting for Him and ready with our gift of pure gold faith for Him.
As I was getting washed and dressed yesterday morning, these simple words formed a little poem in my heart to Jesus.
Glorious things of You are spoken,
JESUS, Name all names above;
I’m sheltered safe in your loving arms,
My home is Your everlasting love,
How can it be, You, transcendent God
Are closer than breathing to me?
Here’s great beauty and mystery for me to explore
When at last, face-to-face I shall see.