Redemptive Suffering (Wednesday, Lent 2)

As the world continues to develop, things continue to change. While growing up, we used kerosene lamps to light up the house. I don’t know whether it is still being used today as before. Electricity, rechargeable lanterns and phone torch have taken over. I used charcoal iron to straighten my clothes when I was growing up. In many parts of the world, charcoal iron has become a relic. I can remember waiting for a kettle of water to boil over a charcoal stove. But now, electric kettle does the magic within minutes.

Everything is changing so fast and so much, and it seems life is becoming more convenient. But the irony is that even as life seems to be more convenient, we still find discomfort almost everywhere and are always poised to avoid it consciously or unconsciously. On a deeper level, we want to avoid suffering because we see suffering as negative and meaningless. The truth that may be difficult for us to accept is that not all suffering is meaningless or negative.

In Jeremiah 18:18-20, the prophet Jeremiah, being human, seemed to have pleaded with the Lord to deliver him from his adversaries and from suffering. Because of his prophetic utterances, Jeremiah was denounced and hated by his people. However, such kind of suffering is the kind that he could not have avoided. He was at the service of his people, to deliver to them the word of truth. But such a responsibility must go with some discomfort and suffering. Sometimes, we suffer for the sake of the redemption of others. Such a suffering is not meaningless or negative. It is fruitful.

In Matthew 20:17-28, as they were on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus told the disciples that they are heading to Jerusalem where He would also suffer, die and rise from the dead. As human as they are, James and John and their mother seemed to be much more interested in the glory and greatness in the kingdom. But Jesus asked them if they could take the suffering as well. When the rest of the disciples became indignant because of that request, Jesus did not mince words as He told them that the only path to greatness in His kingdom is the path of service: suffering for the redemption of others; offering one’s life as a ransom for others.

To those of us who desire to be great and to have the glory not only in this world but in the world to come, Jesus asks: "Can you drink of the cup that I am going to drink?" (Matt. 20:22) Sometimes, water has to be boiled before it can be fit for drinking. Sometimes, we too will have to go through the sharpening fires of suffering before we can find its meaning. When suffering is redemptive, then it is meaningful and positive. It is the kind of suffering that Jesus showed us when He was nailed to the cross.

Prayer:

May we too offer up our suffering in love like Jesus did, for our redemption as well as the redemption of the world, Amen!

Have a fruitful Lenten journey!