Young Adults' Group

Looking At The Sufferings Of Christ

by Pastor Mark
March 12, 2020

Coping with life’s pain and suffering

The theme for this month on pain and suffering is indeed a most appropriate focus as we go through these very challenging times. There is the spread of COVID-19 virus that has caused much pain and suffering in terms of illness and death all over the world. Not only that, there are many consequences due to this virus such as weakening economies, business failures and the threat of job loss.

As we face the reality of such pains, Pastor Charles challenged us to look to the sufferings of Lord Jesus to help us cope. There is no better Person for us to focus on who can help us face these challenges.

What are some of the things about the Lord Jesus that I’ve come to appreciate and has helped me cope with life’s pain and suffering?

The Lord understands our suffering

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb 4:15)

Sometimes, we feel that no one seems to understand what we are feeling or going through. But the Lord as our great High Priest does. The word “sympathise” in Greek is “sumpatheo” which means “compassion, to commiserate”.  He is sympatico to our sufferings and what we are experiencing. We have weaknesses that not everyone understands, but the Lord does. He can commiserate with our weaknesses as He became flesh and suffered all the points of pain and suffering that we feel physically, mentally and emotionally. The Lord understands our pain completely. Let us appreciate that the Lord is sympatico with our pain and suffering.

The Lord undertook our suffering

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;” (Isa 53:5)

Pastor also spoke about the vicarious suffering of the Lord in shedding His blood for us. Jesus took the place of our pain and suffering in being wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. It was something that truly struck me. Not only did the Lord understand our pain and suffering, but He also undertook the far greater pain and suffering of paying the penalty of our sins. While we may feel pain and suffering in life’s challenges, it is nothing compared to what we would have to go through to pay for the penalty of our sins. Our pain and suffering could have been far, far worse, but the Lord redeemed us and freed us of those penalties. Let us be ever grateful for the Lord’s vicarious sacrifice and suffering.

The Lord as the ultimate example of how to face suffering

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” (1 Pet 2:21)

Our challenge is to look to the Lord’s example of how to face suffering. The word “example” in Greek is “hupogrammos” which literally means “to follow the writing”. It is like writing on the dotted lines of a page and following accordingly. The Lord Jesus is the ultimate example of how to face suffering, and we are challenged to follow Him carefully. When we are faced with pain and suffering through life circumstances, even the evil afflictions of others, let us see it as our calling to suffer. Let us look to the Lord Jesus as our great example and to follow in His footsteps. He had to face all kinds of unfair treatment and evil ridicule, yet He did not retaliate. Let us be inspired by the Lord’s example as we cope with the sufferings of life.

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