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Value in suffering
So where does this leave us? Given that the worst act in history is the crucifixion
of Christ. And we are all responsible. You might say well no I didnt, Anthony I
wasnt even born then, Well collectively through all our sin, yes we are
responsible through one way or another. It was not just the Jews who handed him
over or the Romans who actually nailed him to the cross. It was all of us.
Collectively we are responsible, but collectively we receive this mighty gift.
Because out of the worse thing possible. What happens? Salvation. The greatest
thing possible where God renews relationship with us and eternal life is possible
again. God doesnt let pain and suffering have the last laugh. Martin Luther
King, is attributed with saying I have attempted to see my personal ordeals as
an opportunity to transform myself and heal the people involved in the tragic
situation which now obtains. I have lived these last few years with the conviction
that unearned suffering is redemptive, and this is because of Christ, suffering
has value. And Its redemptive, because from the redemptive suffering of Christ
we all were saved, you and me. But also through Christs sacrifice on the cross
since we have all been baptised into Christ and are one body through him, now
the suffering in your life has value. John Paul II In bringing about the
redemption through suffering Christ has also raised human suffering to the level
of the redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering can also become a sharer in
the redemptive suffering of Christ. You might have walked here thinking all the
suffering in your life sucks and that it has no value, its a total drag. And yes it
might be a suck and it might be a total drag. But the silver lining is again that
now it has value in Christ. The suffering that we endure can be redemptive like it
Christ on the cross.
Okay, pause for a second, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, because Bhanuka didnt
seem too impressed when I didnt give him any Bible verses talking to him about
my Preach it, Always rejoice, pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.
All the discomfort we endure, becomes like a prayer modelled after the one who
was sacrificed on the cross. We have a lot to offer up; suffering is inevitable but it
isnt going to have the last laugh, because it has redemptive value. Because it is
united to Christ. No ones life is perfect, often we can compare our crosses to
others, I think were all guilty of that; at least I am. We all are going through
something. I dont know what your cross looks like; I dont know your story. Some
might come through broken homes, going through issues inside your heart, a lot
of young people hate themselves, difficulty at uni, or feel very alone, some
people feel spiritually lost or are sick. And Im not trying to minimize that. But if
we hang in Christ, and carry our cross with him. Okay to summarize, Matthew
16:24, If any one desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up
his cross and follow me.
Edison
Id like to end with a story I heard last Saturday at a monthly event I go to which
is the summation of all Ive said. It was about some drug reform communities in
Italy called New Horizons, where the two speakers spent some time to live and
learn about these communities to establish a like one in New Zealand. In one of
these communities which had a capacity of 50 people at a time and was full, the
caretakers heard of a deformed child whom was born and abandoned at birth in
a hospital in Bosnia. The caretakers, despite having no space took this child
without hesitation and brought him back to the community. This child was blind,
mute, entirely immobile, had a horribly twisted spine and bones which had split
open his flesh. The doctors said this child would not see the age of one, but from
the goodness of others received surgery that would just make his life bearable.
The recovering addicts would be arranged in a roster to look after Edison 24/7.
These recovering addicts told these two speakers, They learn to love through
Edison, through Edisons life they learnt to love without receiving, and for those
who did not do this an obligation . I visiting woman came and saw Edison once,
lying passively in bed as he always was, and asked Where is the love of God?,
to which one of the recovering addicts replied you are looking at it.