Jesus: The solution to our greatest suffering 90 days with Jesus Pastor Kile Baker March 10th, 2024 Which one would you choose for yourself: blessing or suffering? Which one would you choose for someone else: blessing or suffering? Which one do you think propels you more towards God: suffering or blessing? Luke 9:22 “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.” Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Luke 24:26 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. Suffering is the home of “and” Suffering brings confusion on how to function in the world, and absolute clarity on who or what is truly valuable in it. Suffering brings the person of few words to utter many, and leaves the one who had plenty with none. Suffering causes us to close our arms around ourselves in despair, and wrap them around others for comfort. Suffering is the place where loved ones are lost, and friends are found. Suffering is where God is blamed, and sought after. Suffering is where people lose their faith, and find it. Suffering is terrible, and meaningful. John 16:20-22 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. They will have trouble in the world, and they will have peace in Him. They will experience terrible grief at the loss of Jesus, and incredible joy when He comes back. They will bring the good news of what happened through Jesus’ suffering to others, and they will suffer along the way. Suffering is what we fear for ourselves and those we love, and how Jesus proved He loved us. Sin → Suffering → Sacrifice → Salvation “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Jesus received the suffering you deserved, and through Him you can receive the blessing He deserved. You can have no blessing without Jesus’ suffering. Next Steps: Discover what suffering produces in Romans 5:3-5. Write out three “ands” you’ve experienced in your suffering and say them out loud. In your prayers this week, thank Jesus for experiencing suffering so you could receive God’s blessing.