His Sufferings

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 11
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We will never fully enter into the sufferings of Christ, and especially the atoning suffering in those hours of darkness when He “bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)).
Over time two hymn-writers have expressed it in the following way:
The depth of all Thy suffering
No heart could e'er conceive;
The cup of wrath o'erflowing
For us Thou didst receive.
G. W. Frazer
Little Flock Hymnbook #245
’Twas on that night of deepest woe,
When darkness round did thicken,
When through deep waters Thou didst go,
And for our sins wast stricken...
How deep the sorrow, who can tell,
Which was for us endured?
O love divine, which broke the spell
Which had our heart allured.
G. W. Frazer
Little Flock Hymnbook #188
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night which the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane (1830-1869)
However, when we suffer physically it does give us a greater appreciation of what our Savior suffered as well as a greater empathy for what others are suffering. “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation” (2 Corinthians 1:5-75For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:5‑7)).
I recently visited an elderly Christian who has suffered much pain and discomfort during her lifetime. Her patient, quiet attitude touched my heart, as she reminded me that it was nothing compared to what her Lord suffered for her. She also reminded me of what the Apostle Paul said on the matter when writing to the believers at Rome. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:1818For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)).
If physical suffering expands our appreciation of what our Lord suffered in the path of faith and service as well as the circumstances surrounding His trial and crucifixion then there is a true and genuine enlargement of soul.