God Didn’t Even Spare His Son Pain

I do not disagree with the phrase “things are often not what they seem”, I just consider it incomplete. A thing can be exactly what it seems, and something entirely different as well.

For example, the medal of honor is presented to valiant service members when they perform inhuman feats of bravery in the face of danger. When these medals are presented to these heroes, it is in fact just that, a recognition of their courage and valor, but medal of honor ceremonies house a second, true purpose. They are a vehicle by which leaders during a conflict can legitimize the war and polarize the citizens of their nation against the enemy.

The applause given to the recipient of such a medal is just that, applause, but it is also a sigh of relief. The unnatural pace and fervor at which the crowds assembled cheer contains fear and ecstasy that it was not them that was asked to risk their livelihood for the sake of their nation. We laud praise and approval and benefits and social recognition upon those who suffer for our nation, as if it was an exchange for not questioning the very conflict that called their valor into service, and so the respect that this nation has for its service members is almost an equivalent exchange; respect given so that it would not be required of us to go and die for purposes that are shifty and changing at best. It’s a sort of prayer.

I’ve noticed the same sort of prayer in my own prayers to Christ. I have also spoke with an undercurrent of fear, even though I say the “right sounding things”. A thing can look like one thing, but be another entirely at its core. In the same way that our praise for our armies hides the deep fear of war and our refusal to participate in it, stowing it away in a nice little tidy corner that we can forget about, so to have my prayers for the supremacy of the United States in the safety of its leaders and borders been delivered by the vehicle of fear, fear of pain fear of what would happen if those institutions were no longer functioning, fear of what would happen if we were overpowered. I pray to God for “His will to be done” when in reality, I ask that my life be preserved exactly as it is now, even though I say the right words. What I mean is: “Lord, spare me from pain”. It’s the same way that the praise of our nation’s soldiers really means: “Soldiers, please spare us from pain”. You can say the right thing. But often it means something different. All of my prayers on the surface level seem righteous, but in my heart the reason I pray them is because I want to be spared pain.

God didn’t even spare His Son Jesus pain.

God didn’t guarantee Jesus a life of peace or stability. He did not promise him a wife, a career, fame, power, influence, or even friends. I suppose that is why we organize ourselves behind borders, in groups that think and look and talk and act like us; because we think that within them we can spare ourselves from pain from mortality. That’s why the level of respect shown to soldiers is so high, because they are the ones that bear confront confrontation with the reality of life’s brutish and nasty nature. But kingdom of God does not have borders. The kingdom of God does not see race or sex or location. Neither should you. Enlarge your perspective, and do not fall for the crafty lies of those in power. Following Christ does not mean escaping pain.

Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him, but also suffer for His sake.”

Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hopedoes not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

God did not even spare Jesus pain. Not only did He not spare Him, but He commanded Him to endure it. It is because of the pain of Christ that we have salvation. And it is because of your decision to carry your burden with Christ that you can be sure of your salvation. Don’t run from pain.