The Mystery of Suffering

"But if all I knew about suffering was by observation alone, it would still be sufficient to tell me that we're up against a tremendous mystery. Suffering is a mystery that none of us is really capable of plumbing. And it's a mystery about which I'm sure everyone at some time or other has asked why."

(Suffering is Never for Nothing, by Elisabeth Elliot) 

Matthew 26:36-45 says, "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."

Suffering is not a foreign concept to mankind. Even Jesus, on the night that He was betrayed, experienced the greatest suffering of all time. 

For what purpose? To redeem mankind--you and me. To pay the penalty for our sin. To clothe us in His righteousness. To grant us a relationship with Himself. To give us the hope of eternal life with Christ. 

It is no mystery. It was because of ultimate love for us that Jesus faced a life of suffering. Perhaps, as you read this, you find yourself in a season of suffering. Take courage as you view your suffering in light of Christ's suffering for us. May you remember that suffering is never for nothing. There is purpose to your pain, and there is a Savior in your suffering.