Would you give thanks for pain?
“Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.” – Mark 14:23-24
Jesus already knew what was going to happen to Him. He already knew the pain and suffering that He would soon face so why was He Thankful?
Could it have anything to do with the idea that He Loved us and He knew that this “covenant” that was being created right then and there would change EVERYTHING about how you and I could relate to God?
Wow – That Is Love!
What does it mean – that EVERYTHING changed?
1) Before Christ – regular sacrifices had to be made – the law was in strict power and rule over people’s lives.
2) Before Christ and His sacrifice a person could not have a direct relationship with God without fear in every moment – Christ restored a relationship between God and man once and for all!
3) Before Christ – condemnation and shame and guilt and heavy punishment was the constant task master keeping God’s creations from Him – after Christ the perfect Love of Christ drove out fear! Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom but it isn’t the end of it!
4) Before Christ – the concept of a Loving God was only for the few and their self-righteousness and pride kept them separated from all us ragamuffins – but Christ came for the ragamuffins and the sick – not the arrogant healthy.
What did Jesus give thanks for even though He knew excruciating pain was just a few hours away?
He gave thanks because He knew that with His temporary pain He would once and for all set free you and me for a Love based relationship with God Almighty – just like it was in the beginning with Adam! – This is Love He thought more of His enemies than He did Himself!
What is God bringing through you from your temporary pain? Could it be that our temporary pain is here to create a more Loving Being?
