The Mystery of Suffering

After reading this article, "The Mystery of Suffering: How Should I Respond?", I believe that I have a better and fuller understanding of suffering and what it was to Jesus and how he dealt with it. Kenneth R. Overberg's three main points about Jesus and suffering were very interesting. The first point is that Jesus resisted and eliminated suffering. To me, this statement shows that through Jesus' efforts to eliminate suffering he healed others, such as the sick and dying. Through Jesus' heeling power he was able to save some people and truly eliminate suffering for them. Kenneth's second point is that Jesus rejected suffering as punishment for sin.  Often times in life when hard times are upon us, we ask 'why God?' and 'why me?' and then, eventually, turn away from God because we think he has betrayed us. When actually we should be turning to God. In these times of hardships we need to recognize that God is there to help us and he will help us if we let Him. Jesus rejected the idea of suffering for sins and proclaimed that God is here to help us. The third point he makes is that Jesus trusted a compassionate, present God. Jesus not only trusted God, but he gave his entire life for God and for us. Even when Jesus was hanging on the cross is so much pain and suffering, he trusted God and remained faithful to his calling - to die for our sins. For me, sometimes it is always hard to trust God fully, especially times of hardships. Jesus taught about forgiveness and acceptance and trust, so I will continue to follow His words. 

The two traditional interpretations of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection are all very different. From the Jewish tradition, The Theology of Atonement and Ransom was based on their experienced sacrifice and their knowledge of ransom. Their sacrifices came from the blood of an animal, something I see as harmful and inhumane but were part of their Jewish tradition. The theology of the incarnation is rooted in the Christian tradition and is an alternative interpretation - something easier for me to understand and relate to. This version tells us that the purpose of incarnation is is creation and that God shares his love and life through this. I prefer the later interpretation because I do not view God as angry and wanting the sacrifice of innocent animals blood. I believe that God is a positive, loving, caretaker that wants his love spread out all over.