Suffer Like a Saint

"Just wait, Sunday's coming."
With good intent, many people will say this phrase. They say it with the full hope in the resurrection for reconciliation with the Father.

I respect these people immensely, and they are always the ones that remind me of the goodness of the Father.

However, I think we as the Church, the body of Christ, have found ourselves struggling with what comes before Easter/resurrection Sunday. We tend to do pretty well with Palm Sunday. We may even have the Good Friday services. However, what happens during the time in between? Do you know? Have you taken the time this week to acknowledge what "Holy Week" encompasses? We have conditioned ourselves to become numb to this week. We have become numb to suffering. As a Western society, especially, we are brought up with the idea that anything can be fixed and that nothing will hurt for too long, so just block it out for a bit.

Church, this is hurting the unbelievers.

We are to follow the example of Christ, who, yes, is the risen King. However, He is also the God who suffered.

Does that phrase make you uncomfortable? The thought that God actually suffered is something we try to mumble under our breath so as to not make it a reality in our life.

We have become numb to suffering, friends. I would argue that in doing so, we have become numb to the true essence of Jesus.

How many times, while consoling a friend, have you said "it'll get better", without allowing them to fully feel what's going on in their heart and life, and actually experiencing their suffering with them?

We have ignored the example Christ provided us of how to suffer. He suffered well, as He sat at the table with those that would soon betray Him, and still provided of His overflowing love through His body and blood.

Jesus suffered. Holy Week is meant to be a time in which we know and embrace suffering.

I am NOT saying that we shouldn't celebrate on Sunday. We live because of the resurrection! However, we cannot forget that the resurrection was not possible without Jesus descending into hell to experience ultimate suffering.

Suffering is the utmost honor as we follow the example of Christ to live well, suffer well, and die well.

Lord, may we participate in the full reality of the life of Jesus Christ.
Jesus, be my Savior.
Be my King.
Be my Lord.
And may I suffer.
Amen.

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