“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.'” – John 9:1-3
The Problem of Suffering
Today in Sunday School we discussed the problem of suffering. If God is loving, why is there suffering? It’s the age old question. Certainly, the sufferings of man must prove that either God is not truly a God of love, or He is impotent. To go one step further, perhaps suffering proves that God doesn’t exist. You have heard all of the arguments. You have also heard the answer, suffering exists because of the fall.
Sin & Suffering
If Adam and Eve hadn’t disobeyed, we would not have suffering. This is true. But how about the more specific question. Why me? Why do I suffer and my neighbor doesn’t? I have a healthy lifestyle. I watch what I eat. How did I end up with cancer when so and so who lives on fast food doesn’t? These questions become a little more difficult to answer. It is the question the disciples put before Jesus regarding the blind man. They knew that there was a correlation between sin and suffering. But is it always a direct correlation? If not how is God being fair?
Stephen & Saul
When Stephen was stoned to death, Saul witnessed the stoning and approved of it. Stephen didn’t question his suffering. He used it as an opportunity to witness and he kept his focus on God. He was rewarded with a vision of Jesus at the right hand of God. None of his murderers saw what Stephen did. Not even Saul.
James & Peter
When Herod decided to attack the early church he killed James. Intending to do the same with Peter he had him put in prison. Unlike James, Peter was miraculously saved. Despite being chained between two soldiers, an angel freed him and his life was spared. Why? Was this fair to James?
Peter & John
When Jesus restored Peter on the beach, He told him what kind of death he would endure. Looking behind them Peter saw John and asked about his fate. To which Jesus replied, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” As history records, Peter was crucified for his Savior while John would outlive any of the other Apostles. Fair?
Paul & His Thorn
When Saul was in the midst of persecuting the church, he encountered Jesus. Blinded by His radiance, Saul was commissioned to take the gospel to the Gentiles once his physical and spiritual eyes were opened. However, Paul would have to minister with a thorn in the flesh. Despite praying for the thorn to be removed, Paul apparently carried it to his grave. I can only think of one other person who had a more effective ministry. Jesus.
Our Suffering Servant
Isaiah refers to our Savior as the Suffering Servant. And so He was. He did not suffer for His sins. Yet his suffering was the result of sin. Ours. The scourging. The mocking. The agony in the garden. The crown of thorns. Slapped. Spit upon. Called the devil. Called crazy. Crucified. Worse of all, His Heavenly Father turned away when He bore our sins. Fair?
Suffering & Sovereignty
I believe sometimes we ask the wrong questions. Like Peter did. Like the disciples did. There are things the Bible doesn’t address. We can’t explain everything. That would make us like God. His ways are so much higher than ours. We have to trust His love. We have to bow to His sovereignty. But for those who are suffering, it is best to dwell on what we do know. That is where the Hope is.
Redeemed From
God is able to redeem us from our suffering. Like Peter, He may choose to free us from the bonds. Like the blind man, Jesus is capable of giving us sight. God can answer prayers in the affirmative. But He does not obligate Himself to do so. Like Paul, we can pray for the thorn to be removed. If it is not removed, we can echo Paul’s sentiment, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11b-13).
Redeemed In
God often chooses to redeem us in our suffering. How many people have to hit rock bottom before they will look up? Suffering has a way of removing pride’s blinders. As the expression says, “it is only when we come to the end of ourselves that we come to the beginning of God.” Pride comes before a fall. Often, God uses a fall to bring us to Himself. Suffering can be the most effective tool to get our attention.
Redeemed
God wants to redeem our suffering. When people are suffering, they often blame God. As Christians, we tend to want to play God. Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers. We can’t remove everyone’s pain. Instead, we should seek the face of God. In the midst of our suffering, we need to imitate Stephen and keep our eyes heavenward. Instead of asking why me, we should ask, “What is it you are trying to teach me?” “Do I have unconfessed sins?” “How will this make me a better person?” “How will this suffering enable me to better minister to others?” “How will this suffering draw my closer to you?” “How will this suffering bring You glory?” Jesus prayed for Peter so that his ministry would be more effective after Satan sifted him. (Luke 22:31-32) Listen to Second Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Why You?
Why specifically are you suffering? I don’t know. Are you defined by your suffering? No. Is there hope? Yes. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, they were not alone. They were miraculously joined by one whose appearance was like “a son of the gods.” In the midst of our pain, we can have peace. In the midst of our suffering, the Son of God joins us. It is wrong to assume that a God of love doesn’t allow suffering. To the contrary, the greatest symbol of love the world has ever known is a blood stained cross. In the midst of your suffering, cling to it. It has a way of keeping things in perspective.
“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” – Matthew 16:21
For YOU!