I wonder about the pain Jesus endured before and during His trip to the cross. He was spit on and slapped. Thorns were pressed into His flesh. He endured jeering and taunting. He was beaten beyond human recognition then forced to carry the weight of the cross on which He would die, up a hill.
Jesus felt all manner of assault. From, what many would deem as a minor insult to being nailed and hung on a cross until dead. This is important because it means that Jesus experienced every possible pain. Starting with what many may have deemed, small.
The repercussions of a wound may not matter in the moment because whatever body part can endure the minor discomfort. But at some point, the wounds severity goes up and so does the pain. Just because pain is deemed less does not take away its' presence, nor its' impact.
When a body part hurts, no matter where, we recognize it. We don't dismiss the pain because, "oh, it is just my finger" while we wait for our femur to break or our heart to fail.
It is our body. We look out for it, we recognize any discomfort and make an effort to find the solution; we seek healing.
The Bible clearly outlines that WE, humans, are the body. We are...ONE body, in Christ.
And as a body, we have the responsibility to look out for all the parts.
Cause the thing is, we don't know which part we are. I know that I would love to think of myself as something cool, like the eye but it is more likely I am some tiny, random bone in a toe or a toenail.
Our value does not come from our function individually, but from how we work together.
Together.
If a part of my body hurts, I hurt.
Right now, many parts are hurting. So, I hurt.
In all honesty, I "feel" like whatever I try to do will be insignificant. But what is not insignificant is my choosing to be more like Jesus. My choosing to stand for truth and righteousness; to lean into God's grace, seeking His perspective. In doing so, that means I will be choosing to SEE those who are not being seen and meet tangible needs of those that are not being met. I can make sure those around me, specifically my children, will be taught to be the hands and feet of Jesus... in real ways.
Jesus took the betrayal, the slaps, the jeers, the whipping, the cross, the separation from God, & the full weight of every sin on His body that WE may have hope and freedom. That when we choose to lean into Him, He will unify us with His body, through His body.
Because, yes His body was beaten and bruised to death, but it was also restored to LIFE, eternally.
He experienced every moment of physical, mental, and emotional pain that WE may know restoration is possible.
God, we recognize that it is Your Son's sacrifice that brought us together as one body. Please restore us as we stand together, stand up for each other, and stand up for our body. Hear from Heaven and heal our land. Open our eyes to see how You see. Help us love, tangibly.
God help us.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Please see below for, just a few, of the many Biblical references:
John 12:34-35, John 18:12-John 21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-1 Corinthians 13,
Luke 22:47-Luke 24, Luke 4:17-21, John 8:31-32, John 8:34-36,
1 John 2:1-11, Luke 7:44, Revelation 1:18, 2 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Chronicles 7:14,
John 14:12, Deuteronomy 31:8-9, Romans 8:38-39, Hebrews 10:24-25
"He who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in darkness." 1 John 2:9
"For you were called to freedom. Only do not use your freedom to indulge yourself; rather, serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13
"Behold, I am with you and will keep you where ever you go, and will bring you back to this land for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you." Psalm 32:8
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
