9 September 2013 - uniqueness of Christianity - the meaning of suffering

9 September 2013 - uniqueness of Christianity - the meaning of suffering

and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.

His right hand is the source of his livelihood.  It represents all of his ability to be self-directed and provide for himself.  But it is withered and he cannot use it.  Imagine the frustration.  Even if our dominant hand works we can all relate to being unable to successfully do the things we intend to do.  We can't create the world we would like to create.  We can't even create the families or the lives we want to create.  In this way we sympathize with the man with the withered hand.

“Stretch out your hand.”
He did so and his hand was restored.

Only is Jesus do we find the healing we need.  Only his grace can give us the strength to build lasting structures in our world.  But the man in this passage doesn't get healed until he finally meets Jesus.  How does a reconcile with the suffer of his whole life to this point?  Does he actually accuse Jesus of not coming sooner?

For that matter, how does Paul cope with all the struggles he faces in his ministry?  They are not trivial:

For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,

But Paul at least knows "mystery hidden from ages and from generations past."  This is literally something that the world before Jesus cannot know.  In fact, it is only true at all because of the cross of Christ.  And it is this secret that makes all the difference in human life.

I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ

Paul knows that his suffering has value precisely because of Christ within him, "the hope for glory."  The sufferings of Jesus are entirely sufficient for the salvation of the entire world.  But they are, in a sense, lacking to the degree that they do not reach and apply to each individual.  The sufferings of Christ are intended to renew the whole world.  They make our petty, meaningless, and banal sufferings into critical means of salvation and sanctification.  This is the full effect they are designed to have.

When Jesus stretches out his hands upon the cross he empowers the man with the withered hand.  Now when the withered hand is stretching and straining in hope toward Jesus this gesture can be full of meaning.  Even before healing is received it can bring salvation into the world.

So let us be reassured.  In the midst of our suffering God wants to be the rock of peace for our souls.  He allows us to find the rest we need.  Even before the healing comes (which _will_ come, even if at the resurrection of the body) if we put our trust in him we can enjoy his peace.

Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!