Sufferers often feel lonely. If the suffering is especially difficult, they may feel as though no one really understands, that no one is walking with them in their pain. People can walk with us through our pain, but can they walk with us in our pain? Those who have the capacity for empathy or those who have experienced something similar may understand something of what the sufferer feels. But only Jesus can truly know the pain a person experiences in their deepest struggles. Jesus knows. Jesus has walked the path of pain that the suffering person now faces. In this way, we get a glimpse into the final way that suffering is a gift. Suffering is a gift because suffering brings intimate fellowship with Christ in a way few things can. The apostle Paul cries out in his suffering and in his deep desire to know Christ in a more intimate way, “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).
Previous Articles in Series: The Gift of Suffering I – The Gift of Suffering II – The Gift of Suffering III – The Gift of Suffering IV – The Gift of Suffering V
Jesus the Sufferer
The notion that Jesus, the Son of God, the Lord of heaven and earth, suffered is an astonishing reality. The Lord and Master who has all authority and infinite ability to overcome suffering, and yet at the same time is the quintessential sufferer. The fact of the matter is that the suffering of Jesus is the central feature in the plan of God for salvation. From all eternity, God the Father purposed to bruise His Son for the sins of His people. The clearest example of that is the Suffering Servant song in Isaiah 53. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6). Over seven hundred years later, this ancient prophecy became a reality in the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus’ purpose was to suffer for the sins of the world. In this way, he becomes the example and pattern for all Christian suffering. We follow a wounded Savior. His suffering reveals his love for his people. The sacrifice of suffering is the sacrifice of love.
Jesus Understands Suffering
Because Jesus surrendered himself to suffer, he understands those who suffer. He understands their pain. They do not walk that path alone, he understands. The Bible tells us that Jesus is able to sympathize with us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). So, Jesus comes along side of us in the journey of suffering. He is a traveler who has trodden that path and can be an understanding companion. It is a great comfort for those who suffer that Jesus knows what they are going through and offers the best possible help and strength.
Jesus is with the Sufferer
Jesus not only understands our suffering, but he is with us in our suffering in that he comes to our rescue in the best way and in the best time. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. His powerful presence gives us peace and hope in the darkness that can shroud our hearts in times of pain. When suffering remains for lengthy periods of time, his presence is a sweet and welcomed friend. Knowing that he is with us and will sustain us as we make our way through a season of suffering provides us with the resolve to persevere through the pain.
Intimate Fellowship with Jesus in Suffering
The gift of suffering goes further still. As the believer in Jesus Christ experiences suffering, they enter into an intimate fellowship with Jesus the sufferer. This is the essence of Paul’s desire in Philippians 3:10. It is an experiential knowledge of fellowship or communion in suffering that is for the cause of Christ. As we suffer for him, we suffer with him. Christ suffered for us so that we may suffer with him. We share in a spiritual bond of sacrifice that is a grace given to us to know our Lord and Savior in a deeper way. We do not suffer with him for the sins of the world; it was our sins for which he suffered. We suffer with him as one who has been redeemed from our sins and now given over to living for the resurrected Lord Jesus.
Our fellowship with Jesus in suffering is, first of all, intimate. There is a closeness and openness with Jesus as we suffer. Our fellowship with Jesus in suffering is secondly personal. Suffering brings pain into the heart as well as the body. The internal pain can be more intense than the external. It is here that Jesus ministers to our hearts through the Holy Spirit. And finally, our fellowship with Jesus in suffering is joyful. He who loved us and gave his all for us calls us to love him and give our all for him. We are his joy, and he is our joy. In this way, suffering with Jesus is not morose or mournful but a privilege and a blessing. No serious follower of Jesus relishes pain but is eager to serve their Lord who loved them and gave himself for them. When the disciples of Jesus were called in before the Jewish council and beaten, they left the place rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus.