....... Is the Way of Suffering

I decided to look at the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to confirm that the way of Christ is the way of suffering. Here's a little of what I found:

• Immediately upon beginning His ministry, Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert (Matt 4:1-11)
• Jews persecute Jesus for healing on the Sabbath (John 5:16)
• People of Nazareth try to kill Jesus (Luke 4:16-30)
• Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus (Matt 11:14)
• Jesus weeps at the tob of Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
• John the bpatist beheaded (Matt 14:1-12)
• Jesus weeps over Jerusalem (Luke 13:31-35)
• Jesus prophesies being mocked, flogged and crucified (Matt 20:19)
• Plot to kill Jesus (Matt 26:2-4)
• Judas agrees to betray Jesus (Matt 26:14-16)
• Last Supper (Matt 26:17-30)
• In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus says, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." (Matt 26:38)
• In Gethsemane, Jesus says, "Take this cup - - -yet, not as I will, but as you will" (Matt 26:39)
• In Gethsemane, the Bible says "Being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and his sweat became like drops of blood (Luke 22:44)
• Jesus arrested (Matt 26:47-56)
• Jesus before Annas (John 18:19-24)
• Jesus before Caiphas (Matt 26:57-67)
• Peter disowns Jesus (Matt 26:69-75)
• Jesus before Pilate (Matt 27:11-26)
• Flogging of Jesus (John 19:1)
• Crown of Thorns (John 19:2)
• Mocking by the soldiers (Matt 27:27-37)
• Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
• Golgotha (Matt 27:46)
• Jesus cries out during his crucifixion "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46)
• Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and gave up His spirit - (died) (Matt 27:50)

These events took place in the 3 year ministry of Jesus Christ and truly represents a life of suffering. In fact, Jesus Christ was the ultimate sufferer because His suffering was:

1. extreme and truly awful,
2. He was truly innocent by never sinning and
3. God turned His back on Jesus on the cross because God could not be in the presence of sin.

No one on earth will ever suffer like Jesus because God will never turn His back on anyone on earth:

"...Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Heb 13:5

That's why we turn to Christ in our suffering because He's been there before and He's with you now in your suffering:

"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Heb 2:18

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one Who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find Grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus Christ is the only answer to your suffering - Trust Him !

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