“Jesus Is My Example, Part 2”
Luke 22:39-46
Sermon Series: “The Cross”
Introduction: We will suffer, but beyond, that, how will we suffer? How does Jesus’ example in suffering speak to us in our suffering (see 1 Peter 2:19-25, 4:12-16)?
Mark Driscoll writes, “In Christianity Lite the cross of Jesus is overlooked by people seeking a Christianity in which the objective is to glorify Self, the power to do so is Self, and the means to do so are self-sufficiency, victorious living, pride, and comfort, which together commingle as a false gospel that is of no help when the dark seasons of life envelope you. The great Reformer Martin Luther distinguished between the Christianity Lite theology of glory and the theology of the cross. The theology of glory celebrates what human beings can do based on their personal vision, self-discipline and hard work. The theology of the cross celebrates what Jesus alone can accomplish for us, through us, with us, and in spite of us. The theology of glory seeks to know God directly in his power, wisdom, success, and glory. The theology of the cross seeks to see suffering, hardship, pain, shame, loss, and failure. The theology of the cross seeks to see suffering, hardship, pain, shame, loss, and failure as opportunities to grow in an understand, appreciation, and emulation of the crucified Jesus. The theology of glory seeks to use God to obtain health and wealth. The theology of the cross seeks Jesus, even if that should mean experiencing pain and poverty like Jesus.
1. Jesus’ suffering shows us that there is a divine purpose in suffering. This does not mean that God created suffering or that suffering is a good thing in and of itself but that God purposely uses suffering for good. He uses suffering to produce:
A. Endurance (Hebrews 12:3, James 1:4).
B. Maturity (Hebrews 5:8-9, James 1:4). “Christians are like nails. The harder you hit them the deeper they go.”
C. Multiplication (John 12:23-26, Colossians 1:24).
2. Jesus’ suffering demonstrates His personal identification with our suffering. Hebrews 2:17-18 says, “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” This does not solve the mystery of suffering or remove the pain of suffering, but it does make it more bearable to know that our God understands and is with us in our suffering.
3. Jesus’ suffering means that our suffering is temporary instead of permanent (Romans 6:23, Revelation 21:4, 22:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). For the child of God, the only suffering they will ever experience is in this world and this life. Through the work of Jesus on the cross, we can live with hope and assurance that a better day is coming! Eternity will be perfect for the believer, but it will be eternal suffering for the unbeliever. If you are a Christian, this is the worst that you will ever experience, but if you are not a follower of Jesus, this is the best you will ever experience.
4. Jesus’ suffering proves that God loves us and provides a reasonable basis for faith. How can we believe that God really loves us in a world with so much suffering? To me, the only answer that satisfies is the cross. God suffered for us and suffers with us in our pain. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Conclusion: If you are a Christian, you will suffer, but through Jesus, we can suffer well for the glory of God. E. Stanley Jones wrote, “Don’t bear trouble. Use it. Make something out of it. Turn it into a testimony.”
