I think there is probably a part in all of us that longs to know what the future holds so we can feel prepared for what life has in store for us, and possibly even alter that reality. It’s most likely fear and the desire for control that drives this longing. Sometimes I wonder how life would actually play out if God gave us a glimpse into our would-be futures. Would we embrace all that lies ahead? Even the hard parts? Or would we make whatever decisions necessary to avoid our trials and suffering?
If God had told me that our life would be up-ended by disability, would I have chosen to have a third child? Or would my husband and I have stopped with our two healthy, neurotypical children, choosing the easier path in life? Admittedly, I’m inclined to think I would have played the coward and opted out of hardship—bowing down to the idols of ease and comfort.
How gracious of God to not give me that choice. I would have missed out on so, so much. For it is in my trials and suffering that God has brought about more growth, refinement of my faith, eternal perspective, and true joy than any of the “easy” parts of my life.
What a mercy it is that God does not reveal all that life will hold for us, but instead calls us to trust Him fully as He walks with us through it all. If allowed glimpses into our futures, our aversion to pain and suffering would likely cause us to dodge the most formative experiences in our lives. We would bypass the very circumstances that transform us more into Christ’s image and draw us ever closer to His heart.
As we reflect today on Good Friday, I am reminded that unlike us, Jesus did know fully of the suffering that was in store for Him. John 18:4 begins with, “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to Him, went…”
This excerpt from the gospel of John is taken from the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had retreated to the garden with His closest friends in His darkest hour to cry out to His Father, knowing the time had come for Him to die. This quote is immediately followed by Jesus bravely approaching His friend, Judas, who had come to betray Him and the guards who had come to arrest Him. Jesus knew exactly what would happen to Him—betrayal, mockery, false accusations, beating, crucifixion, and most painfully, separation for the first and last time from God the Father. He knew all this would happen. And He went anyway.
Why would He do that? Why would a man knowingly choose to embrace suffering when He could’ve easily avoided it? The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:2, “For the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” And in Isaiah 53:5, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
Jesus embraced suffering for us. We were the joy set before Him. Jesus chose to endure physical pain, the ache of betrayal, humiliation, and the sting of death all to make peace between us and God and heal us from the devastating effects of our own sin. Jesus could have opted out of suffering. But He didn’t. To think of what we would’ve missed out on if He had.
This knowledge leaves me humbled and full of gratitude for a savior who loves me so deeply that He willingly took my place upon the cross. It also makes me thankful that suffering never gets the last word because we serve a God who redeems it all. No matter what light and momentary affliction I face here on earth, God will use it for my good and His glory. Friends, we can look to our futures with nothing to fear.
photo credit: The Bible Project
Good Shepherd 