Dear Friends,
After this newsletter went to print, we received word that Michele's mother in California passed away. We appreciate your prayers for the family at this time of mourning. Thank you.
Monday, October 26, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
Dear Friends,
Last December we received word from a long time supporting organization that they would need to reduce our support by $500.00 per month. We have been supported at about 82% of our monthly target for the past several years, and this new reduction of funds will lower that to about 71%.
Would you consider coming along side us with a monthly financial contribution? If fifty people gave $10 a month, or 25 people gave $20 a month, the deficit would be eliminated. Your support can be easily initiated by going to the MMS website, www.mmsaviation.org , and clicking on the ‘Donate’ link. Halfway down the page is a section titled, “I prefer to give to:” with two drop-down boxes. Select “Missionary Support” from the first one, and “Tim and Michele Obarow” from the second box. Follow the prompts to complete the transaction.
Here is our latest newsletter:
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Monday, April 29, 2019
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Know Your Enemy
On August 16, 1527, Leonhard Kaiser was burned at the stake for heresy against the church in Rome. Sometime during the next two years, his friend Martin Luther wrote the hymn ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’. In the lyrics Luther wrote:
“For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.”
Luther did not see Rome and it’s political influence as the source of persecution, but rather, Satan as the force driving evil in the world.
The Apostle Paul knew this fact well and wrote of it in his letters to the churches of Asia. In his second letter to the church in Corinth he wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) II Cor. 10:3,4
Before launching into his teaching on the armor of God, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12) Who are these rulers of darkness in high places? Clearly not politicians or religious leaders, for they are flesh and blood.
If we are to engage in spiritual warfare, should we not have an understanding of the motivation and force of the opposition? Attempting to live the Christian life with our focus on events and circumstances in the physical realm is like the proverbial horse chasing the carrot: no matter how fast he runs, he is never fed. In the end there is only an exhausted frustration.
I’ve known too many exhausted and frustrated Christians, and sadly, a few ex-Christians, who “did everything right” but succumbed to a defeated life. Why? Did God let them down? Were they not ‘real’ Christians? Is the Bible not true?
Without understanding the spiritual, unseen battle, we are in danger of falling for the same lie that got Eve; “Hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Gen. 3:1
Satan didn’t go to Eve representing himself, but rather, he came misrepresenting God. He didn’t only use this ploy on Eve, he used it on Jesus when he tempted Him in the desert. Remember:
Matt. 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13
(1) He appealed to Jesus’ fleshly need of food and made it seem like ‘the logical thing to do’ to abuse His power.
(2) He offered Jesus an easy way out; “Worship me and I’ll give you all these kingdoms”. (No pain, just gain!)
(3) He misapplied scripture to make a physically satisfying display (jumping off the temple) seem like a spiritually gratifying experience. But remember, Jesus didn’t leave heaven and come to earth just to start a new religion and gain a following. Had He not paid the cost of our sin, we (mankind) would still be eternally lost.
Think about temptations that you have faced in life. Don’t they follow the same basic pattern?
These are the basic level temptations; appealing to the flesh, escape from discomfort, and emotional gratification. If Satan can get you to trip up with these, his job is pretty much done. Look at those around you who are living ungodly lives. Drugs, immorality, deception, all fit very nicely into the three areas we’ve just looked at. Feel good and take the easy ride, that’s the way of the world.
It’s only when you resist the easy temptations that Satan brings the heat. “Consider my servant Job,” God said to Satan. And Satan received permission to put the pressure on Job. Loss of family, loss of possessions, loss of health; Job suffered it all. Through it all, Job was oblivious to the spiritual battle going on in heaven. Was Job a pawn in a celestial game of chess? Satan would say so. Those who think of God as cruel would agree. So why did God allow Satan to vex Job? Because the spiritual triumph of Job’s faith in God’s goodness overshadowed the material loss temporarily suffered by Job during the test. Without that perspective it’s impossible to accept such events as God’s will.
Acquiring the right perspective requires a deeper understanding of the enemy of God, and what motivates his activity. I’ll give you an illustration of why mindset is important.
The war in Vietnam has gone down in history as the first war America ever lost. How can that be? America had the most advanced weapons of war the world had ever seen. Our soldiers were young and fit. They had the best supplies available. We waged war for ten years, yet today Vietnam is a communist country. What happened?
The people of Vietnam were farmers who lived simply off the land. They were not concerned with world politics. They suffered when the North Vietnamese army attacked. They suffered when the American and South Vietnamese army counterattacked. No matter who advanced along the battle line, the misery of the people never abated. Consequently, they never cared who was declared the winner. Our soldier’s lives were put at risk for a cause that the very citizens of the country didn’t believe in. Those who served did so out of a sense of duty, but it was evenly matched by a feeling of futility.
Contrast that with the response to Nazi aggression by Great Britain in 1939. One of Winston Churchill’s famous speeches contained this statement:
“We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender;…”
The will to endure comes from an understanding of what is at stake. If we don’t believe in the justice of our cause, or the evil of our opposition, motivation will wane, if it exists at all. The citizens and government of Great Britain understood that defeat meant subjugation to a violent and oppressive army. Victory had to be achieved; No matter the cost.
During the years of the Vietnam war, the citizens of the United States saw the conflict more as an exercise in futility, than a life and death struggle.
In both cases, the outcome was really determined by the perspective and attitude of the participants. Your perspective and attitude will affect the outcome of the spiritual warfare you wage.
To begin to grasp the magnitude of the spiritual warfare we are engaged in, we must step back to view a much bigger picture than that of our daily struggles.
While it may sound painfully obvious, the starting point of understanding is: God made everything. (Col. 1:16,17)
“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”
That includes Lucifer, for so he was known in the day he was created. Lucifer means ‘Bearer of Light’. There are two main passages in scripture that grant us a peek into the circumstances that led a perfect creature, created by God, to become the nemesis of humanity:
Isaiah 14:12-17
Ezekiel 28:13-19
Ezekiel 28:14,15 says, “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; And I have set thee so: Thou wast upon the Holy Mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, Till iniquity was found in thee.”
Just before that passage, verse 13 describes the beauty and musical abilities that God had given Lucifer. He was heaven’s ultimate worship leader...until he took his eyes off God. Isaiah wrote:
“How art thou fallen from heaven, oh Lucifer, son of the morning!...For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.”
Revelation chapter 12 adds to the insight: “There was a war in heaven” (v7)…”And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan...he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (v9)
Take time to consider these events. Lucifer, created perfect and sinless, had a free will. He had to. James, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” (James 1:3)
God did not ordain Lucifer to rebel, but He allowed it. And not just Lucifer, he was cast out of heaven with his angels. At some point, Lucifer grew disenchanted with God, and his assignment as worship leader. His pride didn’t just cause him to question his position, it convinced him that he could rise above God Himself!
In one respect, it may be observed that powerful as Lucifer may be, he can’t be terribly smart. If God created everything, and His existential power holds all things together, how could one hope to rise above God? Lucifer’s rebellion is like a man sitting on a tree limb, sawing at the limb that holds him up.
Evidently, Lucifer voiced his discontentment and ambitions to his fellow angels, and discovered others who shared his rebellious vision. God’s faithful angels fought back, and the rebel faction was cast to the earth. In thinking about this, a few questions arise:
1. Did these events take place before the events of Genesis chapter 1, when the earth was “without form and void”?
2. Did the rebellion occur after the creation of man?
3. Was the creation of man the impetus for the rebellion?
Imagine Lucifer carrying out his heavenly duties, but with a growing discontentment. Then one day, he is in the presence of The Triune Godhead when he hears them say, Let us make man in our image.” God never gave recognition or honor to Lucifer, much as he felt he deserved it. God didn’t make him regent over a kingdom, or declare a heavenly holiday in his honor. In his mind, it was bad enough that God got all the glory; now God was going to make more creatures in His image??!! Oh, and that’s not all; these ‘creatures’ are going to be given dominion over a whole planet!
Knowing the timeline would be interesting, but it’s not essential to understand that we are lovingly made in the image of God; the very God who Lucifer resents; the very God who kicked him out of heaven for his ambitions. Is that not reason enough for Satan to unleash his hatred and rage against man?
Yes, Satan hates us because we bear the image of God. On those days that you feel low, take heart; you are made in the image of God! Satan offers people temptations every minute of every day; not because he wants people to experience joy and freedom, but because he wants to separate God from His beloved creation. Satan’s not interested in your pleasure. He wants to bring you pain and destruction.
When we think of the ultimate expressions of evil, it nearly always involves death and murder, genocide if possible, because every person killed is like a stab in the heart of God. And that is what he’s after.
So why does God allow the disobedience of His creatures? It goes back to the lesson of Job. If God made all His creatures to be organic robots, there would be no rebellion. There would also be no genuine praise or love returned to the Father. You can make your children obey you, but can you make them love you? Of course not. Jesus told several parables about servants either doing their master’s will or shirking their duties. In Luke 12:37 He said, “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth to serve them.”
God’s desire to have fellowship with us is genuine. He wants that same level of sincerity from
us. Allowing His created beings to choose, testing the hearts and motives of people, is a means of sifting the grain from the chaff. By the way, there’s a big difference between testing and tempting. Testing is a process that promotes growth and hopes for a right response. Tempting hopes for failure and weakness. They sound similar, but they’re really worlds apart.
I’m convinced that this is the reason God allowed Satan to approach Eve in the garden of Eden. Man was created innocent, not righteous. (Gen 2:25 / Rom.5:13) Lucifer guessed, correctly, that if he could spoil man’s innocence, he would release man’s creativity for evil. We know how wickedness spun out of control after Adam and Eve’s sin, to the point where God wiped the earth clean with the flood and started over. Even after the flood, the Bible records the sad observation that, “...The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth…” (Gen.8:21)
So Satan struck a blow against God’s creation of man, but God countered with something Satan never saw coming; a plan to redeem mankind. This just adds fuel to the fire of Satan’s hatred. God offered Lucifer no amnesty. He didn’t propose a plan to redeem Lucifer and his angels. But for humanity, God put into motion the most magnanimous redemption plan ever conceived: God Himself would become a man and give His life as payment for man’s sin!!
At every turn, God offers mercy, when judgment would be justified. In Ezekiel 33:11 we read, “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Peter wrote, “For the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9) And God’s mercy galls Satan.
A major part of Satan’s campaign against God is to make the bad things that happen in the natural world, seem like God’s fault. Remember that part of the consequence of Adam’s sin was a curse on the hitherto perfect world God had created. While God can and does forgive sin, consequences are unavoidable. The destruction of the world by the flood has left the planet in a state of recovery ever since. When tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions occur, Satan mobilizes the masses to scream, “How could a loving God allow…?” Sometimes God may miraculously intervene to save, but those interventions are the miracles. Scripture tells us that, “The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” (Rom.8:22)
God has revealed in His Word that He is moving eternal events toward a phenomenal conclusion. Revelation 21:3 says, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” We who are redeemed will not spend eternity floating in a nebulous heaven, but will reside on a new earth, in immortal bodies, with the physical Jesus in our presence! (See Revelation 21:1 to 22:5, and I Cor. 15:54-57)
Satan can’t stop God’s plans and purposes. He will fight to the end of his appointed time; proof enough of his unrepentant heart. Truly, “The Spirit and the gifts are ours”, as Luther wrote. Let’s realize our victory in Christ, and call out the deceiver for what he is. Our victory is won. Fight to the end. Never Surrender!
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Saturday, September 17, 2016
September 17, 2016,
Hello,
Michele and I are putting together the necessary elements to seek an increase in our monthly support. This morning, (Saturday), I intended to print some Prayer Warrior cards to be mailed out to folks that we think would be willing to pray for God's leading in this venture. As happens quite often in these endeavors, three out of three printers in our house were not up to the task.
Rather than casting the printers in the trash, we chose to take the opportunity to post the card on the blog. That way, if some gracious blog-reader out there wishes to print a card for their use and tape it to their refrigerator, so much the better. So here is the card we will eventually print and mail:
If you will be praying for us as a result of this post, we would greatly appreciate knowing about it. If you would be so kind, please email us at: timnchele@juno.com
For more information about the state of our finances, here is a excerpt of the letter that we intend to prayerfully send to select individuals and churches:
If you ar reading this and feel God is leading you to join our support team, there are several ways of doing that. one of the simplest is to follow this link to the MMS Aviation website donation page: https://secure-q.net/Donations/MMSA/929
In the two drop-down boxes in the middle of the page, select "Missionary Support" in the top box, then select our names from the list in the box below it. Simply fill in the remaining information as required, and we will receive the blessing of your generosity.
As ever, thank you for reading, praying, and giving as led by our Lord!
Sincerely,
Tim and Michele
Hello,
Michele and I are putting together the necessary elements to seek an increase in our monthly support. This morning, (Saturday), I intended to print some Prayer Warrior cards to be mailed out to folks that we think would be willing to pray for God's leading in this venture. As happens quite often in these endeavors, three out of three printers in our house were not up to the task.
Rather than casting the printers in the trash, we chose to take the opportunity to post the card on the blog. That way, if some gracious blog-reader out there wishes to print a card for their use and tape it to their refrigerator, so much the better. So here is the card we will eventually print and mail:
If you will be praying for us as a result of this post, we would greatly appreciate knowing about it. If you would be so kind, please email us at: timnchele@juno.com
For more information about the state of our finances, here is a excerpt of the letter that we intend to prayerfully send to select individuals and churches:
If you ar reading this and feel God is leading you to join our support team, there are several ways of doing that. one of the simplest is to follow this link to the MMS Aviation website donation page: https://secure-q.net/Donations/MMSA/929
In the two drop-down boxes in the middle of the page, select "Missionary Support" in the top box, then select our names from the list in the box below it. Simply fill in the remaining information as required, and we will receive the blessing of your generosity.
As ever, thank you for reading, praying, and giving as led by our Lord!
Sincerely,
Tim and Michele
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Monday, November 16, 2015
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Greetings,
A year ago Michele was in her neck brace awaiting the insertion of a subcutaneous port to begin her chemotherapy to treat Lymphoma. Today she is cancer free, and we are debt free, despite the generation of over $280,000.00 in medical expenses. Praise God! It is easy to praise God at the end of a trial that has a happy ending. Many people suffer illness and trials that do not have happy endings.
Michele and I traveled to Wisconsin in July to help represent MMS Aviation at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual event called AirVenture. We have made many friends in that area over the years, including relationships with local churches. I was invited to speak in the morning service of one such church. As I struggled to put together a presentation that focused on MMS Aviation, I had no inspiration. Then I sensed God telling me to share from the heart, to wit, He gave me a message on suffering. When I say, "He gave me," I mean to convey the message that the scripture references flowed in a way which produced the sermon theme in a very coherent way.
Upon delivering the sermon, it became clear that God had intended this particular subject for a congregation that had many hurting souls. As usual, His timing was impeccable. In the weeks which have passed since then, it has been on my heart to share the content of that sermon on the blog, but I wasn't sure if that was a directive from the Holy Spirit or some display of ego. This morning, I prayed that God would either give me peace to leave it alone, or compel me to action. As our pastor began his sermon on, would you believe, "Suffering and Trials", I felt that familiar urge to comply. The result follows forthwith. This was about six pages in my hand written scrawl, so I won't be offended if you don't read through it. On the other hand, maybe it is being put here for you...
Ephesians 5:25 says, "Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it."
When Michele was diagnosed with cancer, it became my mission to be Christ to her, in the same way as Christ cares for, and relates to His church. But what exactly does that look like? Several scripture passages came to mind:
Philippians 2:5-8, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Hebrews 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
1Peter 4:12,13, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy."
Think about this: Every army that has ever fought a battle has had to fight their first battle. What keeps a soldier from running away during that first exposure to violence? It's not natural to rush toward someone trying to kill you, so why would anyone do that? How could someone overcome the natural preservation instinct and act contrary to their fear? The answer is, preparation. The soldier is trained to act a certain way, no matter what. He rehearses this training until his mind is convinced. He acts, because he has decided to act. With the decision firmly made in advance of the challenge, the probability of following the training improves exponentially.
Suffering serves as the Christian's basic training. Hebrews 5:8 says, "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered."
This learning comes from experience. It does not mean that we are beaten until we obey. Have you ever talked with someone who said, "You don't understand what I've been through!"? No one can ever say that to Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 tells us,
"For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
If suffering, the experience of suffering, is God's preferred means of instruction, why should we seek or expect an exemption? This is exactly what Peter is telling the reader in 1Peter 4:12 and 13; "Don't think your trials are strange, but rejoice!"
Peter wasn't alone in expressing this concept. James told his readers to, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials." (James 1:2)
Knowing that difficulties are part of God's plan for our lives can help us to embrace the trials that come our way.
Learning from the experience of suffering will make us more like Christ.
Being more Christ-like will cause us to, "Shine as lights in the world," (Philippians 2:15). And that is our purpose for being here; in the world, but not of the world (John 17:15).
I had the privilege of ministering to my wife during the course of her suffering. She had the privilege of suffering in the flesh, and by so doing, she participated in the "Fellowship of His sufferings" (Philippians 3:10). Through it all, God orchestrated events and contacts to touch the lives of people in unknowable ways. We were ministered to by many. There were those who testified that we ministered to them. The more faithful we are to Him, the brighter the light of His gospel shines in a dark world.
Suffering is for a purpose, and there is a reward. Romans 8:18 says,
"For I recon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
This is why the Apostle Paul wrote, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13,14)
So this is both our testimony and our challenge. God is faithful, as demonstrated by the life of Christ, who suffered and died on our behalf, that we might have eternal life. Likewise, we should follow His example, and endure the trials of this life, with the joy that He gives, and He will use it for His glory.
A year ago Michele was in her neck brace awaiting the insertion of a subcutaneous port to begin her chemotherapy to treat Lymphoma. Today she is cancer free, and we are debt free, despite the generation of over $280,000.00 in medical expenses. Praise God! It is easy to praise God at the end of a trial that has a happy ending. Many people suffer illness and trials that do not have happy endings.
Michele and I traveled to Wisconsin in July to help represent MMS Aviation at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual event called AirVenture. We have made many friends in that area over the years, including relationships with local churches. I was invited to speak in the morning service of one such church. As I struggled to put together a presentation that focused on MMS Aviation, I had no inspiration. Then I sensed God telling me to share from the heart, to wit, He gave me a message on suffering. When I say, "He gave me," I mean to convey the message that the scripture references flowed in a way which produced the sermon theme in a very coherent way.
Upon delivering the sermon, it became clear that God had intended this particular subject for a congregation that had many hurting souls. As usual, His timing was impeccable. In the weeks which have passed since then, it has been on my heart to share the content of that sermon on the blog, but I wasn't sure if that was a directive from the Holy Spirit or some display of ego. This morning, I prayed that God would either give me peace to leave it alone, or compel me to action. As our pastor began his sermon on, would you believe, "Suffering and Trials", I felt that familiar urge to comply. The result follows forthwith. This was about six pages in my hand written scrawl, so I won't be offended if you don't read through it. On the other hand, maybe it is being put here for you...
Ephesians 5:25 says, "Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it."
When Michele was diagnosed with cancer, it became my mission to be Christ to her, in the same way as Christ cares for, and relates to His church. But what exactly does that look like? Several scripture passages came to mind:
Philippians 2:5-8, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Hebrews 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
1Peter 4:12,13, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy."
And finally,
Isaiah 53:10, "Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand."
What is this strange relationship between suffering and sanctification? Philippians 2: 13-15 gives us a hint: "For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."
God has modeled sacrifice in the most extreme way, through the example of Jesus' life and death on earth. Simply stepping down from His throne in heaven to live as a man on earth is a huge sacrifice.But Jesus' years as a human being were lived in a totally sacrificial way. He could have chosen to be born in America in the latter part of the 20th Century, where He could have been a member of an affluent family, gone to private schools, drove a Corvette, had His own office at the family business, and a penthouse apartment. He could have died peacefully in His sleep, and arose on national television during global coverage of His funeral. But the reality was the exact opposite.
He was born to poor parents who were transients at the time of his birth. He was born under the cloud of illegitimacy, and spent His early years one step ahead of authorities seeking His life. He grew up as an apprentice to a carpenter, a physically demanding occupation, requiring exertion and sweat in a hot climate. The society He lived in was highly prejudiced and never let Him forget that Joseph wasn't His father.
When He began His ministry, neither His family nor His community believed in Him, to the degree that His home congregation wanted to kill Him. He got up long before dawn and lay down to sleep late at night after ministering and preaching all day. He was tired and hungry and walked hundreds of miles.
At the end of His ministry on earth, He wasn't simply killed, He was savagely beaten and put on public display. Not only was He jeered at by the crowd that He fed and healed, but He was abandoned by His closest friends. His death was designed to inflict the most pain, over the longest possible time span. And yet the scriptures say, "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him."
In our self-centered understanding, such a statement seems unspeakably cruel. Is it any wonder that the world, our world of relativism and so-called tolerance, has pushed the name of Jesus out of sight? So is such a statement based in sadistic pleasure, or does it mean something else altogether?
Consider this scenario: If you had a loved one waiting for a heart transplant, would you be pleased to receive the call that a heart was available? Sure you would. But how does the family of the donor feel?
Humanity is under a death sentence for sin. We desperately need a donor who will serve our sentence for us. God donated His Son. What's more, He was pleased to do so. There is our example. When we are participants in Christ's suffering, we have the opportunity of sharing His grace...or not.
Let's face it, everyone suffers. While the degree of suffering varies greatly, no one is exempt. The question is; what does suffering do in your life? Does it make you angry and bitter? Do you want to hurt others, so they can feel what you feel? Do you worry about the possibility of suffering, and do everything in your power to minimize it?
Or do you greet suffering as an opportunity for personal growth? Do you use the lessons you've learned through suffering to help others through their dark hour?
The passage in Isaiah 53 goes on to say, "He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities." (verse 11)
Since God is not willing that any should perish, (Ezekiel 18:23, and 1Timothy 2:4), it pleased Him to provide the means to deliver souls from damnation. It also pleased Jesus to be that provision. Hence the statement in Hebrews 12:2 that He endured the cross, "For the joy set before Him."
This is all fine as an academic exercise, but what about reality? All of the work God does in the life of a Christian will bear fruit only if we join Him in the effort. Jesus said:
"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: And you shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
We don't usually associate a yoke of endeavor with rest, but Jesus put the two together. Note that He gave two instructions:
- Take My yoke upon you
- Learn of Me
Think about this: Every army that has ever fought a battle has had to fight their first battle. What keeps a soldier from running away during that first exposure to violence? It's not natural to rush toward someone trying to kill you, so why would anyone do that? How could someone overcome the natural preservation instinct and act contrary to their fear? The answer is, preparation. The soldier is trained to act a certain way, no matter what. He rehearses this training until his mind is convinced. He acts, because he has decided to act. With the decision firmly made in advance of the challenge, the probability of following the training improves exponentially.
Suffering serves as the Christian's basic training. Hebrews 5:8 says, "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered."
This learning comes from experience. It does not mean that we are beaten until we obey. Have you ever talked with someone who said, "You don't understand what I've been through!"? No one can ever say that to Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 tells us,
"For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
If suffering, the experience of suffering, is God's preferred means of instruction, why should we seek or expect an exemption? This is exactly what Peter is telling the reader in 1Peter 4:12 and 13; "Don't think your trials are strange, but rejoice!"
Peter wasn't alone in expressing this concept. James told his readers to, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials." (James 1:2)
Knowing that difficulties are part of God's plan for our lives can help us to embrace the trials that come our way.
Learning from the experience of suffering will make us more like Christ.
Being more Christ-like will cause us to, "Shine as lights in the world," (Philippians 2:15). And that is our purpose for being here; in the world, but not of the world (John 17:15).
I had the privilege of ministering to my wife during the course of her suffering. She had the privilege of suffering in the flesh, and by so doing, she participated in the "Fellowship of His sufferings" (Philippians 3:10). Through it all, God orchestrated events and contacts to touch the lives of people in unknowable ways. We were ministered to by many. There were those who testified that we ministered to them. The more faithful we are to Him, the brighter the light of His gospel shines in a dark world.
Suffering is for a purpose, and there is a reward. Romans 8:18 says,
"For I recon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
This is why the Apostle Paul wrote, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13,14)
So this is both our testimony and our challenge. God is faithful, as demonstrated by the life of Christ, who suffered and died on our behalf, that we might have eternal life. Likewise, we should follow His example, and endure the trials of this life, with the joy that He gives, and He will use it for His glory.
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