Did you wonder if you read that Scripture verse right?
God willed for Jesus to suffer. Those are difficult words to understand. We don't want to believe it. After all, if God intended for Jesus to suffer, he might want us to suffer too. And we're not sure we're up for that calling.
"Isn't God loving?" we reason. "If so, why would he want us to suffer? It doesn't make sense. Shouldn't God want his children to live in a world with no difficulties, disease or death?"
Ah, but God did create the world perfect and without suffering in a garden long ago. We all have an Eden-like yearning because God created us to live there. But we sinned, and suffering was the penalty for sin. Therefore, in this life, we will experience suffering and death. In fact, as the Isaiah passage reveals, God actually intended for Jesus to suffer during his earthly life so that we could be saved.
In Romans, Paul tells us to expect suffering on earth-and even to rejoice in it. Why rejoice? Because God uses it to produce perseverance, character and hope. God doesn't waste any suffering we experience. He uses it for our good if we let him.
However, God isn't callous to our suffering. He cares deeply. Jesus showed us that when he came to earth. He healed those who were suffering. He is seated at the right hand of God. We will suffer on earth, but the story doesn't end there. Go back to Isaiah 53:11:"After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life." That was true for Jesus, and it's true for all those who believe Jesus is Lord. Your suffering is not the end of the story. If you're a believer, you will one day live in a perfect place:"Then I say a new heaven and a new earth...There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" {Revelation 21:1,4}
God willed for Jesus to suffer. Those are difficult words to understand. We don't want to believe it. After all, if God intended for Jesus to suffer, he might want us to suffer too. And we're not sure we're up for that calling.
"Isn't God loving?" we reason. "If so, why would he want us to suffer? It doesn't make sense. Shouldn't God want his children to live in a world with no difficulties, disease or death?"
Ah, but God did create the world perfect and without suffering in a garden long ago. We all have an Eden-like yearning because God created us to live there. But we sinned, and suffering was the penalty for sin. Therefore, in this life, we will experience suffering and death. In fact, as the Isaiah passage reveals, God actually intended for Jesus to suffer during his earthly life so that we could be saved.
In Romans, Paul tells us to expect suffering on earth-and even to rejoice in it. Why rejoice? Because God uses it to produce perseverance, character and hope. God doesn't waste any suffering we experience. He uses it for our good if we let him.
However, God isn't callous to our suffering. He cares deeply. Jesus showed us that when he came to earth. He healed those who were suffering. He is seated at the right hand of God. We will suffer on earth, but the story doesn't end there. Go back to Isaiah 53:11:"After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life." That was true for Jesus, and it's true for all those who believe Jesus is Lord. Your suffering is not the end of the story. If you're a believer, you will one day live in a perfect place:"Then I say a new heaven and a new earth...There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" {Revelation 21:1,4}
-Women's Devotional Bible
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