Reading: Lamentations 3:1-23
"Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion" (Lam 3:32)
At the climax of His sufferings in His earthly life some questions would have arisen in the heart of Jesus: "Do I really need to go through all this? Did I not obey My Father in all things? I did nothing but good to men! Why then, Lord, should I suffer thus?" Instead of brooding over these querries He overcame self-pity by showing concern for others and alleviating their pains. The following three instances amply illustrate the point.
a) The women of Jerusalem
As Jesus was carrying the Cross on the dusty roads of Jerusalem, women mourned and lamented over Him. But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children" (Lk 23:27-31). Jesus realised that He was going to Heaven to enjoy glorious days whereas the thought of their future suffering made Him lift His eyes off His present suffering.
b) The thief on the cross
One of the two criminals rebuked the other saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong" (Lk 23:39-41). A statement like this could have dumped Jesus in self-pity. Here again Jesus turned His eyes towards the desperateness of the thief. True the thief was being punished justly, but Jesus respected His last minute realisation and request. "I am going to Paradise; come along with Me!"
c) The women by the cross
There were three Marys standing near the cross: Mummy Mary, Aunty Mary and Magdalene Mary (Jn 19:25). Their tear-filled eyes could have driven Jesus to self-pity. Instead of giving place to it, He began to think about His mother's need. He gave Mary as a mother to John, and John as a son to Mary. There was an adoption ceremony near the cross! "My Father is getting back His Son. But mummy, you are losing a son. Take John for me!"
The suffering of others is greater than ours. The day when this truth dawns on us is the day when we will learn how to handle suffering. Hear the testimony of Paul who had learnt this truth: "As dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich!" (2 Cor 6:9,10)
"Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion" (Lam 3:32)
At the climax of His sufferings in His earthly life some questions would have arisen in the heart of Jesus: "Do I really need to go through all this? Did I not obey My Father in all things? I did nothing but good to men! Why then, Lord, should I suffer thus?" Instead of brooding over these querries He overcame self-pity by showing concern for others and alleviating their pains. The following three instances amply illustrate the point.
a) The women of Jerusalem
As Jesus was carrying the Cross on the dusty roads of Jerusalem, women mourned and lamented over Him. But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children" (Lk 23:27-31). Jesus realised that He was going to Heaven to enjoy glorious days whereas the thought of their future suffering made Him lift His eyes off His present suffering.
b) The thief on the cross
One of the two criminals rebuked the other saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong" (Lk 23:39-41). A statement like this could have dumped Jesus in self-pity. Here again Jesus turned His eyes towards the desperateness of the thief. True the thief was being punished justly, but Jesus respected His last minute realisation and request. "I am going to Paradise; come along with Me!"
c) The women by the cross
There were three Marys standing near the cross: Mummy Mary, Aunty Mary and Magdalene Mary (Jn 19:25). Their tear-filled eyes could have driven Jesus to self-pity. Instead of giving place to it, He began to think about His mother's need. He gave Mary as a mother to John, and John as a son to Mary. There was an adoption ceremony near the cross! "My Father is getting back His Son. But mummy, you are losing a son. Take John for me!"
The suffering of others is greater than ours. The day when this truth dawns on us is the day when we will learn how to handle suffering. Hear the testimony of Paul who had learnt this truth: "As dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich!" (2 Cor 6:9,10)
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