"He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."
Hebrews 5:8
The life of Jesus was one of suffering. He suffered rejection from religious leaders. He suffered betrayal by His disciples. He suffered emotionally in the Garden of Gethsemane as He finally yielded to the Father's will and the cross. The climax of His suffering came through a soldier's whip and a Roman cross. He suffered emotionally, feeling forsaken by the Father. He suffered spiritually and physically, bearing the sins of the world. Jesus understands suffering.
Through all of His suffering, it was not without purpose in the things which He learned. He learned the lesson of full obedience to the Father's will, that He could become a faithful and merciful High Priest. No one can say truthfully, "The Lord doesn't understand my suffering." He not only understands your suffering and pain, but He is sympathetic and compassionate toward all who suffer. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
We learn more about God through suffering than we ever could through a care free life of pleasure. We learn that God is faithful. We learn the lessons of humility and compassion towards others who suffer. We learn patience and endurance through the trial. Most of all, we learn that God suffers with us. God was in Christ experiencing our trials, temptations and suffering. The lessons of suffering bring us to the cross to trust God more than ever. We learn that His grace is sufficient and His love is steadfast.
Father, when we suffer, give us grace sufficient for every need.
