Where is Jesus when I Suffer?
Morgan Nel | ACSI Assistant Director
I am a dad of three beautiful children. I love them unconditionally and they really make me proud. Having children is one of the most awesome experiences and I have come to realise that it is also one of the most difficult tasks I’ll ever have to perform.
Who teaches you to be a parent? Our own fatherly examples? Observing families around us? Or even a book on parenting or some course we attend at church? What I learnt, is that we need to be a child first, to become a parent who can accompany and lead our children in the ways of the Word. We need to be a son to God before we can be an effective father to our children.
The toughest part of being a parent is seeing your child face trial and tribulation – suffering. Whether it be an academic problem, friendship issues or even a daily encounter with the school bully. As they grow older, it might be a special relationship that renders your child altered. “Who are you and what did you do to my child?” we might wonder.
On occasion, when my children were facing some tough situations, the question came up, “Where was Jesus when this happened?” A tough situation with an even tougher question to boot.
I took this question to the Lord, and this is what He showed me: In all truth we know that Jesus is SEATED at the right hand of the father.
Hebrews 10:12-13
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.”
The problem is that this image shows a distant Jesus to the developing minds of our offspring. I had to delve deeper. And this is when the Lord revealed something astounding.
My daughter is a ballerina. I remember being in the audience, SEATED on the plush seats, waiting for her appearance, bursting with fatherly pride when she danced gracefully. And when the encores were shouted, I would be STANDING and clapping in encouragement and joy.
My eldest son loves sport, and his forte was javelin. I would be SEATED on the pavilion and as he ran up to throw the javelin, I would automatically STAND and shout with excitement.
My youngest son is a tenor of note and when the choir performs, and he renders a solo I give him a STANDING ovation.
Jesus is like that too. When Stephen was stoned – going through the toughest trial imaginable, Jesus was there. He knew.
Acts 7:56
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man STANDING at the right hand of God.”
Jesus is not distant, uninterested, and aloof. He watches over us with interest and love. When we go through trials, he is aware. He even understands every emotion that we must work through. He is real and He bursts with pride when we face trials. That’s my Jesus!