Is there a situation in your life that you're dreading? You don't want to endure the pain and want God to take it away? We've all been there; if you haven't experienced this, keep living. Life has its ups and downs— some situations are more excruciating. 

There are times when things seem too hard to bear, and they become more challenging when we try to bear them alone. In Psalm 55:22, the Bible says, "Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Jesus can do more with our pain than we can.  

NO ONE WANTS TO SUFFER: NOT EVEN JESUS!  

We believe Jesus, the Son of God, came to Earth to suffer and die for the sins of humanity. While it is often assumed that Jesus chose to suffer, many may not know that Jesus did not want to suffer. Instead, He did it out of obedience to His Father and His love for us.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, according to Matthew 26:29, Jesus prayed to His Father, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." The cup that Jesus referred to was the cup of suffering that He would soon have to drink. Jesus, in His humanity, did not want to experience the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain that awaited Him. However, He submitted to His Father's will, even though it meant facing the Cross.

The reason Jesus chose to suffer was out of obedience to His Father. Jesus understood that the only way to redeem humanity was through His death and resurrection. In John 3:16, He said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus knew His sacrifice was necessary to save us from eternal separation from God.

JESUS’ SACRIFICIAL LOVE!

Jesus' love for us was another factor that compelled Him to suffer. He loved us so much that He was willing to endure the most excruciating pain imaginable. In John 15:13, He said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Jesus' love for us is what motivated Him to take our place on the Cross, to suffer and die so that we might live.

Jesus' willingness to suffer is a powerful example of sacrificial love. His obedience to His Father and love for us, even those who betrayed Jesus, are the ultimate expressions of selflessness. Unfortunately, Jesus was betrayed by one of His disciples, Judas, for money. The same people who praised Him as their Savior turned on Him and wanted Him crucified. After experiencing all this hurt, He still chose to go to the Cross and die for all humanity. As Believers, we are called to follow in Jesus' footsteps and love others sacrificially, even those who hurt us. The real test of Christianity is not loving Jesus - it's loving "Judas!"

In conclusion, while Jesus did not want to suffer, He did so out of obedience to His Father and His love for us. Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross is the ultimate expression of sacrificial love. When Jesus was nailed to the Cross, it was for every one of our sins. Everything was nailed to the Cross, so we'd no longer have to carry the burdens or wear the sin of shame! As we reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus, we are reminded of the incredible depth of God's love for us. Whatever dreaded situation or circumstance you face, surrender it to Jesus and pray, "your will be done." And He will give you His power and His peace. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• MESSAGE: For the entire message from Part 4 of Liquid Church's "PASSION" Series, "Good Friday," click here.

• JOIN A SMALL GROUP: Small Groups are the way we make a BIG church feel SMALL. Our small groups meet during the week (some in person, some over zoom). They eat together, open the Bible, study the Scriptures, pray, and fellowship together. If you’re not in a group and would like to join one, click here.

• DEEP BREATHE is back!: Deep Breath is a daily devotional text message that comes straight to your phone Monday through Friday. These short videos help you get your morning going with a dose of Scripture, guided prayer, and some motivation from Pastor Tim Lucas to start your day off right. To subscribe, text the word "BREATH" to 85737, or you can subscribe here.