David Bahn – Reflections

Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. ¹³ You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, ¹⁴ and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷ They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. ¹⁸ It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, ¹⁹ my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! ²⁰ I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

I have a theory about Jesus’ death. It is very personal and not theologically tested. So I would not write about it for a theological journal. But since this is my blog along with my personal reflections on God’s word, I will share it with you.

The theory has to do with the amount of pain I can endure as I embrace other’s pain, struggles, disappointments, unfair treatment, or self-inflicted problems (sins, if you will). I can go only so far. As I think about such pain others experience, my heart is drawn to them, and I begin to empathise with them.

This is no boast. In fact it’s the beginning of a confession. For you see I can entertain only so much of others’ pain before I have to close my heart to them. I am not proud of this. But it seems necessary to me if I am to continue to function in this world. If I’m constantly grieving over others’ troubles and pain, sins and struggles, I cannot get anything done. I am just not capable of embracing the griefs of the world.

Jesus,on the other hand, didn’t close his heart to the pain, suffering, sin, troubles, trials, and injustices of the world. And as he took those into his heart, it killed him. It took him to the cross. It allowed him to allow his hands and feet to be pierced. It made the crown of thorns a perfect fit. The guilt, sin, and shame that we all carried became his own.

Paul speaks of being in the anguish of childbirth because of the situation in Galatia. He took in the pain they were in danger of inflicting on themselves. He cared deeply for their spiritual wellbeing. He beautifully reflected God’s love to them.

We may not be able to carry the pain of the world, but we can certainly open our hearts to those who are hurting, struggling, sinning, and suffering – if only to a point. To do so reflects Christ’s love for all people. Bring them to Jesus who carries our sins, griefs, and pains, and makes it possible for us to open our hearts to others in their times of struggles and pain.