What About Suffering?Намуна

It’s painful to watch acts of injustice on the news. The Taliban murdering peaceful people, little kids shot down by crazed gunmen, and corrupt politicians lining their pockets whilst their constituents suffer. If we could do something about it, we would. Well, God can do something about it. So why doesn’t He? Does He not care?

Over the next few days, we’ll explore what the Bible has to say about these questions. First of all, God cares.

We’re often moved by the suffering of others but rarely so much that we’ll leave our comfortable lives to make a difference. Jesus came from the comfort of heaven to earth because He cares. He entered into suffering to put an end to it. He knew the pain of a wicked ruler unjustly executing their subjects. His cousin John (the Baptist) was beheaded by Herod Antipas, and Jesus Himself was conspired against by religious leaders and crucified by a Roman governor.

In John 11, Jesus hears the news of a sickness threatening the life of His friend Lazarus. When He arrives, Lazarus is already dead. His sisters are mourning. Why didn’t Jesus come sooner? He could have saved Lazarus. Where was the miracle worker when His friends really needed Him?

Jesus cries with the sisters. Jesus cares. In Jesus, God shares our suffering with us. Jesus reveals to us the character of the God who hears the cries of slaves in Exodus and mightily rescues them from their oppressors.

When Lazarus died, Jesus restored him to life showing those gathered to mourn that whoever trusts Jesus will live, even if they die. But when His cousin John was murdered by Herod Antipas, there was no miraculous resuscitation. John’s still dead.

God cares, and He’s able to undo our suffering. We might be able to recognise ways in which God has protected, saved, healed, or comforted us. Yet there are times when death and suffering seem to rage against us unrestrained by God. We’re going to keep thinking about this over the next couple of days. But first, God does care.

What’s causing pain in your life? As you cry out to God, will you trust Him to answer you, even if it takes much longer than you hope? How will you respond if His answer isn’t the one you’re asking for?