100 Days of HopeSample

The Suffering Christ

The influential Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, once said, “‘There cannot be a God of love,’ people say, ‘because if there was, and he looked upon the world, his heart would break.’ The church points to the cross and says, ‘It did break.’”

Where true love exists, and where there is suffering, then love must suffer. American philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff, who lost a son in a climbing accident, says in his book, Lament For a Son, “God is love. That is why he suffers. To love our suffering world is to suffer. The one who does not see God’s suffering does not see his love. So, suffering is down at the centre of things, deep down where the meaning is. The tears of God are the meaning of history.”

Revelation 5:9 paints the picture of the throne of God and the search for the one who is worthy to open the scroll. Who is worthy? A huge, roaring lion? No, it is a slain little lamb, the suffering lamb slain for the sake of all humanity. It is the one who experienced inexplicable suffering.

May we allow our hearts to embrace the message of the Suffering Christ. As we do, our actions will reflect God’s heart towards those who suffer and the expression of God’s love for them will take form.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the image of the lamb who was slain and for your incredible sacrifice for us. Help us to embrace that message and reflect your heart of love towards those who suffer.