Look What Happened to Jesus!

 

"Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.” Revelation 5:1-6

I recently had a very cool revelation. The deeper I go into the idea of trials, suffering and difficulties being a part of God's will, to shape, mold, strengthen and form us, the more I see scriptures that confirm it. And so, of course I want to share these new revelations with you! I know, I know… I have written on this subject many times so thank you for hanging in there with me!

There are many Christians who truly and honestly believe that God would never allow pain, difficulties and suffering on His children but, that instead, He only wants good, nice and easy things to happen to us, like a good earthly father does, right? I mean, that totally makes earthly sense and seems very logical and understandable. Why would we want hardships, difficulties, pain and suffering for our children?? That just seems SO wrong! And we parents strive, sometimes we desperately go out of our way, to protect our children from experiencing anything difficult or painful. That seems more like the RIGHT and best thing to do!! Right?? So, why wouldn't God want the same things for us?? God is totally able to prevent his children from experiencing "bad" things, harm and difficulties, as well as very able to lavish all "good" things on us. But then we come to a place of asking ourselves, so "why" doesn't He? Why is there so much pain, suffering and hardship in this world? (Here is a good blog for when kids suffer: Beauty from Ashes) And we may have personally asked God “Why am I having so much pain, suffering and trauma in my life?” These are all good questions! I will not pretend that I know all the answers but, in my journey to know Him, He has given me a couple of glimpses here and there that may be helpful.

 In a previous blog I talked about how our definition of “good” and “bad” can be very different from God's, (To Him Who Overcomes) and the things we think are bad for us are actually GOOD for us. The results are very helpful in humbling and strengthening us and in teaching us compassion, grace and mercy. And using our difficult experiences to help others go through the same things with wisdom, understanding, compassion and grace. Then God has shown me that His “eternal” perspective is what He sees things through and not our “temporal” perspective. There are SO many reasons why God allows these things to happen, these are just a few.

 Ok, moving on to this blogs topic, so… what happened to Jesus!? Not too long ago I was listening to the gospels again and hearing about all that Jesus went through here on Earth. The rejection and disdain from the leaders and most of the people and especially the horrific whipping and beating Jesus endured even before he was hung on the cross... and then of course the cross itself was, I would imagine, beyond horrifying!!

(“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3)

But, as I was listening, a thought came to me. If what we experience here on Earth is designed to shape, mold and refine us into who we need to be for God's Kingdom, then... What happened to Jesus?! Was there more to his pain and suffering than our redemption? (Please note, I am certainly not making light of this priceless gift) And then it hit me!! Oh, my goodness, yes!!

I don’t know about you, but I have always pictured Jesus, before the Earth was formed, in heaven with the Angels, God and the Holy Spirit doing whatever they did... you know, “God stuff”. And then he came to Earth, did this amazing thing for us, dying on the cross and restoring our relationship with God. And then, I always pictured him going right back to heaven being the same Jesus he was before he left. He’s “God” for goodness sakes, what can be better than that!? Of course that’s what happened… right?! (Please tell me I am not the only one who thought this!) But when this new thought came to mind, that idea and understanding suddenly changed! As I was pondering this new thought, this scripture in Revelation came to mind:

 “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.” Revelation 5:1-6

John was weeping and weeping because no one was found to be worthy…! But then he saw “a Lamb, looking as if it has been slain…” If Jesus had not gone through all of that pain, suffering and crucifixion, He would NOT have been worthy to break the seal and open the scroll!! What He went through did SO much more than redeem man and restore our relationship with God. What He went through shaped and molded him into who He needed to be for God and for us for all of Eternity! He did NOT go back to heaven the same way as he was before he came down! All that He went through was designed by God for something so much greater! So, was His suffering “good” or “bad”? I mean, even Jesus, just like us, in his flesh prayed that God would change his plan… that maybe he wouldn’t have to suffer so much, asking in essence, “is there a plan B? Do I REALLY have to do this!? Isn’t there anther way!?” (“Abba, Father, he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:36) But in the end, He knew that what God had ordained for him was necessary to accomplish His perfect will, and so he surrendered, saying “not my will, but Yours be done”. Isn’t Jesus our example of how we should live on this earth? He accepted God’s plan for him and surrendered his will, no matter what he had to endure.

 If God allowed Jesus to go through all of that, so that He can be transformed into something so much more wonderful, powerful, beautiful and valuable, why would he spare us?? If hardships and difficulties are what make us BETTER, stronger, more compassionate people, would that be considered bad parenting? I feel like I lack the words to describe what happens to us when we surrender and are challenged and refined through hardships but all I know is that the end result isn’t “bad” but truly transforming… in a very GOOD way!!

 “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” Heb 5:7-10

If you really think about it, who wants to read about Frodo’s safe and comfy life in the Shire?? His pesky neighbors and meals of cheese and crackers and wine? What really inspires us are his adventures, his struggles, close calls with death, and his victories, right!? If you aren’t familiar with the Lord of the Rings, name any book that you enjoy, maybe Harry Potter, is it safe and easy? Or is it full of death defying adventures that they push through and are victorious and transformed by their hardships?

So, in my limited perspective and understanding, I can see that what Jesus went through resulted in making Him the Son of Man, the Son of God, our High Priest, the Lion of Judah, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, The Lamb that was slain, and our Redeemer... and I am sure so MUCH more that I can’t even fathom right now! Would we tell God right now that what He did to Jesus was wrong? That Jesus’ suffering was cruel, mean and unnecessary? Is God a bad Father because He put Jesus through all of that? Again, our “good/bad” versus His, and our temporal versus His eternal. Whose is better?

And as I was thinking about writing this blog this scripture came to mind:

“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Mark 8:31-33

 Did you catch that?? Peter was like; “No man, you aren’t going to die, I won’t let that happen to you!! You are going to conquer the Romans and redeem Israel and then sit on the throne as king! And we are going to fight for you and be with you in your [earthly] kingdom!” (Totally MY paraphrasing) In Peter’s mind Jesus’ dying was a very BAD thing! (Having in mind the things of “men”) But Jesus KNEW he had to die to accomplish all that needed to happen (God’s plan) so He rebuked Peter and said; "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Whoa!! I am sure Peter was like “What the heck!?” So, when we talk about life being easy, cushy and no bad things happening to us or our children, do we really have in mind the things of man or of God? Hmmmm…?? Definitely something to ponder!!

Another good question is, when things are “easy”, how does that benefit us?? I have often heard it said, “As it is in the natural/physical, so it is in the spiritual”. If we are flabby and out of shape physically, then we can also be flabby and out of shape spiritually! (I talk about things being “easy” in this blog: The Easy Button). Is spiritual “flab” something God wants for us?? Is it really what WE want?? But if it is not exercised, or challenged, our faith and trust in Him will be super flabby too! Right? And, how is our faith tested and strengthened if not by hardships and difficulties so that we can see God work in miraculous ways?

 So, even Jesus was transformed through His suffering, in ways I had never thought of or considered before! Hopefully these thoughts and questions will encourage you to see difficulties and trials in a different way. Instead of blaming Satan or resenting God, maybe look at the difficulties as weights, designed to strengthen you spiritually. Where are you spiritually weak? What muscles need to be worked on? And instead of resisting, see the hardships in life as “opportunities” to strengthen these muscles. (Another good blog on this topic is: Forged in Fire)

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:18-23

But I think my FAVORITE part of trials and tribulations (yes, I said favorite, lol!) are that I get so much closer to God!! Difficulties bring me to my knees and remind me that I can’t do everything on my own and that I have zero “control” over anything! (Like being on a roller coaster with a steering wheel!) So, when I am struggling, I run to him and press into him more than I ever do when things are good. He is my refuge and my Strong tower, my Helper, Comforter and Counselor. And I love how God responds to me when I run to him and look to Him for help, strength and courage! He reveals himself to me in wonderful, miraculous and revelatory ways!! I have learned so much more about who He is through my difficulties and hard times than at any other time! And that is truly what I want more than anything… To KNOW HIM! If it takes trials and suffering to really know God, then I say, bring it on! God always gives me a choice. How will I respond to trials? Will I resist and rebuke? Will I run away from Him in angry resentment? Or will I press into Him even more and learn where my muscles are weak, and allow Him to refine my heart and reveal more of himself to me? How will you choose to respond?

Anyway, I just thought that was a really cool insight into Jesus and what His suffering did for Him and wanted to share it. It makes me wonder how our Earthy suffering will translate for us in eternity! I know it will be amazing! So, one last question. Do we have in mind the things of men or of God?

Thank you, Father, for this new insight and understanding into Jesus and His transformation process through his suffering here on Earth! Help me to continue to have a heart that wants to surrender to your leading and circumstances so that I can be refined and, even more importantly, I will get to KNOW you better!

Here are some more scriptures that talk about Jesus and the result of His suffering and surrender:

“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. ' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Act 4:4-12

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.” Acts 5:30-31

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14

“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.” Act 14:21-22

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:11-12