The Sufferings of Christ

The Sufferings of Christ

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Heb. 2:18.

Jesus could not have helped us whenever we are tempted if He had fallen when He was tempted. However, Jesus suffered when He was tempted.

Temptations produce sufferings, and most people, to find relief from the sufferings, end up sinning. James says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation.” Jas. 1:12. In other words there is something we have to endure. When you stop enduring, or holding out, that is when you become impatient and angry, are envious and backbite, become bitter, and begin to seek the world instead of seeking fellowship with the saints. You are giving the flesh some relief and you are led by the wisdom that is from below. Jas. 3:14-15.

You believe you will get rid of the sufferings, but then you will end up in completely different sufferings. These sufferings are in your conscience; they are sufferings that will ruin you; they will destroy you. 1 Cor. 5:5.

The sufferings of Jesus are the sufferings that came over Him because He did God’s will, because He did not sin when He was tempted. If you enter into these sufferings, your life will be extremely profitable.

Peter says that no one should suffer as an evildoer or a busybody in other people’s matters. You will not find fellowship or consolation in Christ in these sufferings.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Pet. 4:12-13, 15.

Here we can see what awaits the person who is tried and who enters into Christ’s sufferings so that he does not sin.

Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15-16. Do you believe that? Do you believe that as a result you can boldly come to the throne of grace and find grace to help so that you, too, can be without sin in your temptations? If you have this mind, you will get to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings by being conformed to Him in His death. Phil. 3:10. This is the way on which you can hope to be in the resurrection from the dead. On this way you are being conformed to Him and will be along in the rapture.

The world is full of sufferings and trials but if we understand this mystery of translating them into the sufferings of Christ, the result will be that we will be glorified together with Him. Whereas people in general add sin to sin when they come into trials and sufferings, we are cleansed from sin through those same sufferings. At the throne of grace we receive help to keep the flesh crucified. We suffer in the flesh and cease from sin. 1 Pet. 4:1. We exit this world like gold from the crucible.

Everyone in this world has to suffer, more or less; but I have to enter into the sufferings of Christ of my own free will by doing God’s will—in stark contrast to my own and other people’s wills. On this point I come to the cross which I have to take up of my own free will if I want to follow Jesus. However, if the sufferings of Christ abound in me, my consolation will also abound through Christ. 2 Cor. 1:5.

God’s Word comes alive through the cross and in the sufferings of Christ. Jesus, who has consecrated the way, will meet you with bread and wine when you suffer in order not to sin. For the saints spoke inspired by the Holy Spirit, and no one should believe that he can interpret God’s Word if he lives according to the flesh. You can study theology as much as you want; you still understand nothing if you live according to the flesh. Your clever ideas are only a fruit of your puffed-up mind. 2 Pet. 1:20-21. But if you are led by the Spirit of God to put to death the deeds of the body, the Spirit will also make the Word He has spoken to you come alive. That Word becomes yours, and you can comfort and help others with it. This is how you become a worker, and God will not fail to use you.