Mark 15 records Jesus's "trial" before Pilate, His suffering, and His Crucifixion and death. It irks me that Jesus had to suffer; I mean, it's bad enough that the Creator had to die for the creation, but did He really have to go through all of the mockery, flogging, abuse, and torture. I suppose His suffering does validate the fervor of His obedience to the Father - it certainly wasn't flippant.
I was discussing with a Brother yesterday that, though it may seem almost sadistic, it is truly through suffering that people around us get a good view of what is inside us. It is when we go through troubles and hardship (yea, even "trials and tribulations") that we realize we simply can not make it on our own - we recognize that we are incapable of surviving and that we truly need a Savior. This recognition serves two purposes - one introspective and the other evangelistic. First, the Holy Spirit uses this pain to sledge hammer our selfish pride of the flesh, which is an incremental adjustment of God's redemptive work of Sanctification ( i.e, making us holy, making us look like Jesus). Second, people around us get a good observation (with almost all five senses) of how the Lord is supernaturally giving us His Grace to sustain us and make up for our deficient capability, which not only opens the door but even sets the focus on us so that we may Glorify His Name.
supporting documentation from Philippians 1:
1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God's holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus , including the elders and deacons. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ...
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. ...
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. ...
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. ...
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. ...
29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
Prayer (Phil. 1:9-11)
Heavenly Father,
I pray that my love will overflow more and more, and that I will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want to understand what really matters, so that I may live a pure and blameless life until the day of Christ's return. May I always be filled with the fruit of my salvation—the righteous character produced in my life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to You.
Lord, please give me the proper attitude as you call me to suffer for the Name of Christ Jesus. I pray that all glory and praise will go to you, my Savior. I pray in Jesus's Name. Amen.
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