Christ’s Patience in Bearing It
Jesus endured the most severe sufferings and misery than anyone ever experienced, without complaint, not because he was stoic about pain and suffering, for he fully apprehended the depths of human pain, “through sweat of blood and sorrow of heart,” he submitted to the dark providence of God. He prayed to God, “that if it were possible” or as the Gospel records, “if he were willing…the cup might be removed”, but added, “nevertheless not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). It is with unusual importance that Jesus first expressed the anguish of his spirit, “Now is my soul troubled”, and then say, “and what shall I say?”; all with a plea, “Father, save me from this hour,” which once said, seems on second thought to recall his mission, “but for this cause I came to the world,” and concludes with “Father, glorify your Name” (John 12:27). Now we cannot credit this as some flaw in Jesus for he knew he was to suffer and faced it squarely; but it shows us the unthinkable weight and burden of this suffering, that he could not think of it without recoiling. Yet, the will of God and his glory alone overruled his avoidance to this cruel suffering.
Jesus’ Constant Devotion
Another example of Jesus’ love for God was in his delight in talking with him in prayer, through his many retreats where he spent whole nights in heavenly communion without any sins to confess and few earthly concerns, which are the things that tend to occupy our focus in prayer. We can say, in a sense, that the life of Jesus was a prayer to God, even when there was no “sacrifice”, the fire of the altar still burned. Jesus never struggled with boredom or distractions which we wrestle with before we get to real prayer.
His Love for Others
Secondly, I should mention his love for all people; but to express it fully, one must look at the Gospels. For there is hardly anything recorded or spoken by Jesus that was not designed for the good of others. All his miracles and wonders were instances of his goodness benefiting those in need and awe for those who saw it. His love was not just confined to family and friends, nor just reserved for the one disciple whom he loved, but all who obeyed his commands were counted as friends, and those who “did the will of his Father, were his true brother, sister and mother”(John 15:14).
Jesus never turned away those who came to him in sincerity, but helped all those in true need. Those who met Jesus left him joyful except for the rich young ruler who went away sad and sorrowful at hearing the cost of following Christ was so high that he could not keep his wealth and gain his soul. This gave Jesus a heavy heart indeed because it appeared that the young man really wanted to follow him and the Scripture says that “Jesus loved him” (Mark 10:21), but even he could not make an exception for this man who loved his possessions more than he loved Christ (Mark 10).
Consider his meekness and humility. What ugly ingratitude and hardness of heart did the one who betray him show and yet Jesus said to him, “Judas, will you betray me with a kiss (Luke 22:48)? What further evidence do we need to see of his great love, they he would lay down his life for those who hated him? His prayer was mingled with his own blood as he asked the Father not to lay a charge against them, but through his death he would bring them eternal life (Luke 23:34).
Questions to Ponder:
1. How do you deal with trials? Do you complain or yield to God’s will?
2. What is your struggle in prayer?
3. Do you show love to other people or just people you naturally like?
4. Are things, money and pleasure controlling your affections more than your love for Christ?
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