Yes, He Knows by Angus Buchan

He knows! 

We say that we are in immense physical pain, Jesus knows. He spent six hours on the Cross before He eventually died in excruciating pain.  

Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “Crucify Him!” And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”

Matthew 27:22‭-‬23

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

Matthew 27:27‭-‬29‭, ‬31

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Matthew 27:46‭

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

Matthew 27:50

Are you prepared for suffering? If you are a Christian, you must expect to suffer. We live in an unfair world. Do not think that because you are a Christian you are exempt from suffering; quite the contrary. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalms 34:19

Richard Baxter, the famous theologian who lived a number of centuries ago said: “Suffering so unbolts the door of the heart, that the Word hath easier entrance.” 

I have just been recovering from knee surgery and have been out of action for two weeks. If you ask my wife how it’s been (I think she is a saint), she would probably say: “It’s like trying to cage a wild animal,” because I have had a very blessed life when it comes to health and I have never had an operation before. 

So personally, it has been a big test for me, especially in the area of suffering by having physical pain—having the patience to lie still and not move so that my leg could heal. I quickly realised one of the values in this life that I’ve taken for granted over so many years: that God has given me excellent health. I have been actively farming and preaching the Gospel for over 40 years, and have never had to cancel an appointment. Yet one Sunday I had to preach while sitting on a chair. 

So, we should not be afraid of suffering. What we should do is learn from it. 

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

Romans 5:3‭-‬4

Have I learned anything out of this? Well, I remember hearing someone say, “Pain will either make you bitter or better” and I can honestly say it has made me much better. It has given me a new outlook on life. I’m now mobile and on my feet again, and I’m so excited for what the future holds. 

I have seen the Lord work miraculously with my own eyes. I have seen lame people walk, the blind see, and the deaf hear. He can do it for you today. He can revolutionise your life. No matter what suffering you may have to endure, He can give you a new reason for living. 

Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.

Luke 22:42

Let us not be afraid of suffering because none of us will ever be called to suffer anything like our Saviour Jesus Christ, who in the Garden of Gethsemane said to His Father …not My will, but Yours, be done. (Luke 22:42).

“Lord God, I am so inspired and excited by the fact that You will give me a vision by which to live my life. Help me to stand firm in tribulations, knowing that it is suffering that moulds a person’s character, so that I can realise this vision You have for me and live life to the full. Amen.”