Jesus and the Heart of Suffering


“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.” Matthew 26:36-44

The foundation of Christianity rests upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before Jesus resurrected, he was first crucified and we tend to forget this part but before he was cruififed he prayed the prayer asking God to "Let this cup pass from him." Jesus knew the pain he was about to experience and he was honest enough with God to ask if it truly had to happen. Not once but twice Jesus prayed that prayer. The second part of it, however, is just as important, "let your will be done." So even if this cup won't pass on from Jesus, let God's will be done, let God be glorified and let his will be done through Jesus.  Jesus knew what was coming and he didn’t want to go to the cross, but more than that, he wanted God to be in control & God’s will to be done in this situation.
How could he do this? How could he willingly and knowingly go to the cross? He found purpose in and through the pain.
If God removes our potential for suffering, he removes our potential for love.
  On the cross there was suffering but Jesus found purpose & knew the potential to show his love for us. Without suffering, there would have been no potential for love. Some may consider this a roundabout way of thinking of suffering, but it puts the suffering that Jesus endured in a new way and the love that he has for us from a new perspective. Jesus went to the cross and he died to be a sacrifice for our sins because he loves us that much. On the 3rd day, he rose again. So for those that believe in him will not perish but have eternal life.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this
world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Take heart, Jesus has overcome the world.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

 Jesus wasn't alone in his times of hardship. He took Peter & two other disciples with him. He was with people that could pray for him and support him in the current times and the time to come. We are meant to live life in community with others. Let’s look to Jesus as our example. Let’s be encouraged, and draw near to Christian community, that great cloud of Christian witness, pray both parts of the prayer, find the purpose in our pain and remember; if God removes our potential for suffering, he removes our potential for love. 

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