So Much Pain

 

[Jesus said] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:15-21 ESV).

 

Perhaps one of the most difficult things about being a vocational minister is the sheer number of people one encounters who are living in the emotional pain of life. Over the decades I have more and more cherished the wise counsel of my mentors in the ministry. I have been very fortunate to have had these men invest in me their wisdom gained through the crucible of ministry. Bill Shamburger, who was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Tyler, Texas, was one of those great men. It was he who taught me the value of being truly present with people in their pain. This was especially true during the fresh experience of grief.

 

Pain is truly a part of life. However, as our reading helps us to know, suffering is an option. She found that hope in Jesus and his cross. The cross communicates that God loves us and sent his Son to be our Savior. That it the central message of the gospel. As you worship this week, I hope you can focus on this truth. Perhaps there’s a cross in your place of worship. meet for worship today, there might be a cross in your place of worship, please don’t worship the cross. Worship the Christ of the cross and be overwhelmed by God’s love for you. As someone has said, “When you wonder how much God loves you, see Jesus’ arms stretched wide at the cross and hear him say, ‘I love you this much.’”

 

There is no great illustration and example of true love than this. The Apostle John remembered Jesus’ words at another time as He said: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV). Believe it… rest in it… be set free from your suffering!