Suffering and the Christian by Bro. Cenon Bibe

Crucifixion Scene in Old Prayer Book

Suffering reminds us that we are mere creatures in need of our Creator's constant love and encouragement.

It keeps our feet flat on the ground and our hearts set on God, who is the ONLY ONE who can ease our pain.

The difference between a suffering Christian and one who does not have God is that the Christian has someone watching over him and helping him bear the load. Whereas, the non-believer has only himself to carry all the weight.

As Christians, we know that our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, suffered too.

In the Garden of Gethsemene, the Infinite God proved that he indeed took on the form of mortal man. He was not pretending to be human. He indeed became human--complete with the experience of pain.

While being God, Jesus knew exactly how painful each prick of the thorn and each blow of the whip would be. And by being truly and fully human, the Lord knew how those would feel on his body.

And knowing how heavy the price of humanity's sin that he was about to pay for, Jesus was burdened all the more. And that, i believe, is why he suffered and agonized in the Garden.

But there is so much more to the Agony in the Garden than meets the eye. There is a very important message there for us.

In the midst of suffering--or the foretaste of excruciating pain--Jesus, himself God, turned to the SOURCE of all his strength: The FATHER.

Thus, the scene in Gethsemene tells not just of a vivid story of how this all loving and caring God suffered for humanity. It is also an invitation and a reminder to us to call on God when we experience pain, loneliness and harships.

Also, the Garden--and beyond--is proof that we are not alone. We as Christians DO NOT SUFFER by OURSELVES. God himself has suffered for and with us. That is the meaning of Him being EMMANUEL.

Jesus is not only God who is with us by being present to us, but He is God who also bears the weight on our backs. When we bleed, God bleeds with us. When we fall, He shares in our bruises. In our death, God unites it with His own death so that we also rise as He did.

Suffering is a part of life, but God never wants us to suffer. The suffering He bore is enough.

But indeed should we suffer, God wants us to come to Him so that He would ease it or even take it away from us wholly.