

The Crowning with Thorns
by Caravaggio
READ
THE
WORD
Matthew 27:27-31
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Suffering reveals our inmost attitude and beliefs. We already know that Jesus could have protected or delivered himself. He also knew that this suffering was the only way of accomplishing the will of God. What many of us are not taught is that pain and suffering is not only a normal part of life in a fallen world, but if we bring that to God, He often uses it to transform us. A wise man once said that “God is an opportunist, he doesn’t waste any chance to make good of what happens to you.” Romans 5:3-5 says that “…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Even 1 Peter 4:12-19 says “12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ…”
How do you respond to suffering? Have you seen God use suffering and pain in your life to grow you? Bring to mind a past hurt. Is there were some lesson in this for you? If God were present in that moment, what would He say to you? When afflicted we often assume that God is far away, but Psalm 34:18 says that “God is near to the broken hearted.” It is a phrase that means God has compassion for those that suffer. It implies that God is attentive and close to those in pain. But suffering blinds and deafens us to not only God’s presence, but the presence of those who love us.
Nobody knows that feeling better than Jesus, and He understands. Yet He let his suffering reveal His restraint, His obedience, and His commitment to doing things God way.
LEARN AND REFLECT
Let’s Pray
as One.
God, I see that suffering is a result of the fall and sin. I know it’s not Your desire. Thank you that you don’t waste even the smallest pain I have experienced. Help me to see you are close to me in my struggles. You are not far away when I hurt because you love me. Help me to stay connected to your love when pain comes into my life. Help me to play my part in getting through the pain caused by others. I am sorry for the suffering that I have caused to others.
Lord, help me to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Amen.