7 During his days on earth, Christ offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his godly devotion. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. 9 After he had been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him. 10 He was appointed by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Reflection
Oh, there are so many clichés…
The night is darkest just before dawn.
The same water that hardens the egg softens the potato.
A phoenix must burn, then it can be reborn from the ashes.
A caterpillar needs to dissolve into a pile of goo to become a butterfly. So if you’re a mess wrapped up in blankets right now… Keep going.
UUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH…. CLICHÉS!!! They’re a writer’s worst nightmare. They’re expressions that get overused because, at least some of them, are so relatable! (As I am curled up in a heap of blankets, unshowered, still in pajamas, eating junk food, really just embracing the goo lifestyle.) These are all I can think of when I read this scripture and it just emphasizes how incredibly human Jesus truly was.
Jesus lived his life without sin, otherwise he couldn’t have fulfilled his purpose as our Savior, but he still experienced suffering and feared his own demise. Jesus knew he was the Son of God but he still did some kicking and screaming about his fate because… it’s not fair! THIS IS YOUR PLAN?!?!?
Humans are fragile and dumb! Here we are stumbling through life, we are just trying to do the right thing, but so many of us are hurting and struggling. We feel alone, confused, angry and FOR WHAT?!?! To be MADE BETTER ?!?!?!?!
(Deep Breath…)
It’s nice to know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Jesus made sure of that. Who better to come and hold us in our pain than someone who has felt that pain before? A special bond exists among anyone who’s been through the same hell: war, persecution, addiction, abuse, mental illness, homelessness, traumatic injury, cancer, chronic illness… the list goes on and on. Your brothers and sisters in arms can embrace your pain with you; no words or clichés, only radical compassion.
Our suffering shouldn’t be the plan. I’m not saying it’s fair and neither does Jesus. If we are striving to find a silver lining, if we are striving to find purpose or meaning to our suffering, if we need to understand how it makes us a better version of ourselves, let it be a lesson in radical compassion. Let radical compassion guide your life towards purpose.
by Ashley Bowler
For Pondering and Prayer
When has your purpose been to embrace another with radical compassion? How can you show radical compassion for someone who is struggling?
Prayer: Dear God, we can’t always be polite. Your own son did some kicking and screaming and we are going to do some too. Our faith is still in You and Your Son, we just need to vent sometimes. Embrace us with radical compassion and remind us to do the same for others when we feel like we’re in a bottomless pit. Guide us to the ones who need radical compassion so we can carry them to the light at the end of the tunnel. Amen.