Our world is so filled with suffering.
It makes life seem like such a contradiction. No sane person would ever welcome suffering. Or pain. Or trouble. And yet, the suffering seems to be everywhere.
In a fallen, sin-filled world, the pain spans far and wide. Hurting people will do most anything to stop their suffering, to be relieved of their stresses and struggles, and to somehow return to “normal.”
Maybe your own world is a painful one. You may have endured a lifetime of physical or emotional hardships. Or some immeasurable loss. Like others, you may have called out into the night: “Why me, God? Why have you allowed such pain?”
Or maybe you’ve wondered what your life might have been, without all of the trouble or the tragedy. You may have even questioned: “Is God just too far away to be touched by what touches me?”
Of course, you already know your Savior loves you… It’s not about that. So, what is it?
Could it be that suffering and trouble hold some higher, hidden purpose? To produce a process of “separation” that God alone can use?
And while our enemy the devil goes about stealing, killing, and destroying all that he can, might God be doing something far greater, through the very afflictions of His followers?
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Yes, it appears that our pain may be God’s own purposeful pathway—a “divine division” between those who simply and sadly suffer alone, and those who find hope beyond the physical healing: to be joined with Christ Jesus, within the fellowship of his sufferings.
Jesus Attracts the Suffering Multitudes
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.” Matthew 4:23-25
The crowds seemed to come from everywhere, once the word got around about this mystery man called Jesus. Amazed, they all flocked to find him. But little could they realize Christ’s true purpose for being among them.
This seems to be the way of the masses. They form within the frenzy of the moment. They get carried along by the very hysteria they create. But the suffering multitudes have only the questions: “Where is this miracle man?” and “What can he do for me?”
Can we really blame the multitudes, driven on by their own troubled circumstances? This “healer” might be anyone. They don’t concern themselves with who He actually is. Because at this moment, it is really all about them.
Jesus Blesses Spiritual Beggars
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:
and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:1-3
We must realize that Jesus never turned the crowds away. But He would separate himself for a time. Sometimes He would go off to pray. But other times, He would gather together his disciples.
The masses were the general population, with the dullest of ears, and the dimmest of eyes, who only knew their own needs. But Christ’s disciples were following after him for a very different reason.
This is an important distinction. It’s never hard to spot Christ’s true disciples. They will be the ones following him up the mountainside. They have a longing, even a desperation. They must find him, and hear him, and feed upon his words. They must “know” him.
So, as they all went up the mountain to find Jesus, some would have been more able in body. While others might have limped along, beneath the stress of the climb. But all were determined to find him, this one they’d begun to put their hope in.
And when Jesus was satisfied that all could hear, he opened His mouth and began to reveal to them a great mystery. And his words soon astonished them all. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” He began.
Try to imagine yourself, sitting there among those first disciples of Jesus. And you realize that you’re there not only to know Him, but to know yourself as well.
To be “poor in spirit” is to become the spiritual beggar. As if to declare to oneself: I have nothing, unless you provide it. I am nothing, unless you give me your purpose. I am no one, unless you make me someone.
Jesus invites all “beggars” to exchange their poverty for the true riches of his kingdom. But it is more than riches. It is a kingdom of power and authority. And of righteousness and rule. It is freedom in the midst of the bondage. Safety, in the midst of the storm.
It is abundant life, in the midst of suffering.
Jesus Comforts Those who Mourn
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
The prophet Isaiah had long before told of the coming Messiah. He would be the suffering One. A man of sorrows, and well acquainted with grief. The despised One. The rejected One.
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3
We can easily imagine how Jesus must have carried the whole weight of his world at times. And His wounded heart would finally be broken, upon that cruel cross of suffering, for us.
“They that mourn” describes a mourning for the dead. Take a long look at your own present world around you. Sorrowful. Fearful. People passing by, hurrying and worrying along. Lives so lost and left in the shuffle. And at times, resembling dead men walking.
I mourn for this world, don’t you?
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18
Jesus declares to all fellow mourners: I feel your anguish. I know your pain. I mourn for them too. But I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you.
Jesus Blesses the Meek
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
The crowds constantly pressed upon Jesus. How could one man hold up, against such demands? And yet, He held a grace-filled strength that many must have marveled at.
Meekness is never weakness. Instead, those who stay close to their Lord prove to be the humbly strong. They possess and practice an inner strength that is not their own.
Jesus understood this well, completely relying upon his heavenly Father, to purpose and position His moments on earth. So He could confidently proclaim to His disciples the immeasurable blessing that awaited such meekness: they would inherit the earth.
Psalm 37 declares that the earth is the Lord’s—it is His alone to give. And that includes all those who dwell in it. Let God give you the suffering multitudes as an inheritance. Use your meekness to boldly and lovingly display His heart.
Jesus Satisfies the Hungry and Thirsty
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Imagine again, those thronging crowds at the base of the mountain, so focused upon their own troubles. The crowds are prone to “follow” a more accessible Jesus. But they seldom venture up the steeper path. It’s too hard of a price to pay.
But Christ’s disciples are willing to go the distance with Him, despite their personal pain. They have their own troubled lives and circumstances. But they long after the words of life, that only Jesus can provide. That life will take them beyond their sufferings, and fill them with the fullness of His character.
To “hunger” means: to pine for, to be famished for, to crave or desperately desire. And to “thirst” means: to be in need of, in search of, or to press upon (with passion). Jesus lovingly exhorts each of us: you shall be filled to the full. “Filled” translates: to be gorged with, or to have abundance.
“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” John 6:26-27
Yes, the crowds of life are always hanging around, in the moment of their need. But as soon as their needs are met, they are off to somewhere else. They never receive the true meat from heaven. They don’t stick around long enough to find what is waiting, just beyond their own immediate suffering.
But those that sit at Christ’s feet will find the blessings that far outdistance any troubles of the day. To be filled with righteousness. To be filled with and to find the very purposes of God.
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” Isaiah 40:31
Jesus Extends Mercy to the Merciful
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Your own present world is overrun with suffering. Overwhelmed with pain. Helpless and hopeless, hiding their fears and their frailties.
But imagine yourself—spurned on and inspired by the Lord within you—demonstrating a most uncommon reaction, to a world now so distanced from reality: mercy.
To be “merciful” is to be like-minded with the very God of mercy. It is to show God’s unmerited kindness, compassion or sympathy.
This is not the way of the world. But it is God’s way, to give what is never deserved. And to be enabled to extend yourself, without expecting something in direct return.
Amazingly, the word “reciprocity” comes to mind, defined as: a mutual exchange of privileges. Jesus again proclaims God’s blessing to the merciful. They shall obtain mercy. They shall themselves be amply provided with what they selflessly extended to others.
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:36-38
How fitting for our troubled world today. To find mercy instead of accusation. To hear kindness instead of cursing.
Is it possible to look beyond our own troubled lives, to show them an uncommon mercy? Yes, it must be. Now, more than ever before.
Mercy is the Greek word “Eleeo,”which means: To be actively producing the heart of God.
Jesus Blesses the Peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:8
Friend, consider your high calling in Christ Jesus. Not despite your own sufferings, but because of them.
Jesus joyfully pronounces a blessed promise for “peacemakers.” To be called the children of God.
That word “called” is a personal call: to be summoned to come, to be called by name. It suggests both vocation and destination. Think about that. “Children” translates: sonship, kinship, close relationship, or family ties.
Yes, our world will continue to put up its walls of partition. But you and I can confidently follow our Prince of Peace, to become the peacemakers of our time.
Jesus Blesses the Pure in Heart
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:9
Imagine the great sacrifice given for you and for me. We who were anything but pure in heart. Alienated. Enemies of God. Unclean, unworthy, unable to set things right. Still, he loved us.
What a stench we must have been to a high and holy God. Still, He came to us.
So comes the blessed promise to all who are cleansed, made pure by the purity and the power of Christ’s own shed blood. The crowds of this world never know what they’re missing. But we know Him. Now purified by his very presence within us, we love Him. And through our own pain, we see Him. And one day, we will truly see Him as He is.
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:7-10
And what is this fellowship, with Christ’s sufferings? It is our own sufferings shown and shared with His. And His with ours. Surely, this must be the path to something far greater than just suffering alone, as this “mystery” of God continues to be realized.
Jesus Blesses the Persecuted
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
Persecuted? Wait a minute. What is this world coming to? But honestly, it may be soon coming to a town near you. Or a church like yours.
But this is not the time to fret with worry. In fact, could it be that your personal pain has qualified you, for God’s own timely purposes?
God never makes mistakes. So right now, see your suffering becoming God’s sovereign plan. (Or, as seen from an eternal perspective: God’s purposes have already accounted for your sufferings).
That word “persecuted” means: to flee from pursuit, to be followed after, pressed toward, or driven away. (How about intimidated or stalked?)
Christ’s own days were filled with persecution. And yours may be as well. Okay. That said, now is the perfect time to walk as the Christ-called believer you always knew you could be.
Though they are not evident now, such great and gracious blessings will follow those now persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12
The challenge Jesus puts forth here is straightforward enough: Stand up for what is right and expect some real opposition. After all, those that oppose Christ will naturally oppose you. “Reviled” means: falsely accused of all sorts of evil, defamed, railed upon, taunted, (terrified?) To suffer reproach (and all manner of lies and accusations).
It was certainly happening in Jesus’ time. And it is clearly in full swing today. Thankfully, we serve the unchanging God, who promises a blessing so sure he joyfully declares: “Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.”
You’ve got such a great reward awaiting you. Keep your confidence. They persecuted those who came before you. But you’ll be receiving your blessings, long after the opposition is gone.
You are the Salt of the Earth
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13
Notice that Jesus didn’t say you or I might become the salt. For all true believers, this is just a fact. We are the salt of the earth.
And neither did he mention that we were the salt of the ocean. Why not? Well, when it comes to the chemical composition of salt, it is all pretty basic stuff. So why make the distinction?
I believe it is because of where the salt of the earth is found: Within the earth. Like most minerals, it is hidden away, awaiting to be discovered, and to become useful. It must be mined out, and brought forth.
Back in biblical times, that process would have been a long and laborious task. It likely would have been a painful procedure for those that labored long to extract it. Spiritually speaking, we might even term those “labor” pains.
The point is, Jesus likens his followers to salt, labored over and brought forth, to influence their world in some specific way. But what if that very purpose for which salt was created is somehow forsaken?
Jesus soberly warns us: Then it won’t be any good for anyone or anything. Thankfully, we (like salt, with its very nature of saltiness) have been given an ability to change and influence the very course of things around us.
You are the Light of the World
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
Think of a city, especially one built upon a hill. The darker the night, the more everyone can see it.
Of course, it’s all about the light. There’s just no hiding it.
It would be foolish to light a candle in your house, and then just hide it under your bed. That would defy the whole purpose of light, to illuminate everyone around it.
Jesus encourages every “light” to shine before their world, that all may see what God has been doing to you, and through you—so that they may be touched and changed by it.
You may be wondering what being the “salt” or the “light” in your world has to do with your suffering. And honestly, a lot of well intentioned believers (including myself) may have missed the connection.
You—the disciple of Christ Jesus—have been set apart for His service. Whether you’ve realized it or not, you’ve been sought after, as surely as you struggled with the meaning of your broken life.
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:34, 38-39
Now, imagine how the storms and the struggles of your life have brought you here. For whether you’ve realized it or not, you’ve been sought after and separated out, as surely as you simultaneously struggled to find real meaning in your broken life.
It’s true. Needy people are those in need of answers. Hurting hearts long to know the Comforter. Desperation drives the sorrowful to seek the “Man of Sorrows.”
Christ is well acquainted with your grief, no matter where it has come from. So he would never waste your precious days of sadness or suffering. Instead, He lovingly and patiently moves you along, from the “poor” one, to the “mourning” one, to the “meek” one, to the “hungry and thirsty” one.
Look back—yes, that’s you. Coming forth. Finding courage, where there once was none. Now the “merciful” one. Now the “pure in heart”. Now the “peacemaker”. Yes, even the “reviled and persecuted” one.
God can hardly be surprised by you. Your pain is the path that has brought you here, to be all that He hoped you might become: His Salt. His Light, revealed before a dark and deficient world.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
Through the sicknesses and the sorrows. Despite the letdowns and the losses. Though your heart has often broken, Christ’s own heart of suffering and separation has joined with yours.
And who is better qualified to be here, than you? And HE in you! Your own suffering has shaped you, and scheduled you for such a time as this.
May that blessed fellowship with your Lord’s own sufferings lift you up, and light your way. And may the God of all comfort stir you and strengthen you—carry you and keep you—through these painful but amazing moments of time.