With Jesus in joy and sorrow

Do you agree that the media has hit a new low for offensiveness? Reality TV shows, comedy series, news programs (web, TV and radio), social media and political debates - they all seem to be getting more and more obnoxious. Then there are the unscrupulous preachers who preach the prosperity gospel with its false promises of health and wealth. When I asked one of the followers of this false message in a conversation, why the "say-it-and-you-get-it-prayers" of this movement did not end the many crises in this world (IS, Ebola, economic crises, etc.). I only got the answer that I would annoy them with this question. It's true that I can be a bit annoying sometimes, but the question was meant seriously.

The good news is Jesus, not prosperity

One time I get really annoyed is when I'm sick (at least that's what my wife, Tammy, claims). Fortunately (for both of us) I'm not sick often. Without a doubt, one reason for this is that Tammy is praying for my health. Prayer has a positive effect, but the Gospel of Prosperity falsely promises that if faith is strong enough, one will never get sick. It also claims that if one is sick (or has something) it is because one does not believe enough. Such reflections and teaching are a perversion of the faith and true gospel of Jesus Christ. A friend told me about a tragedy that happened when he was very young. He lost two sisters in a car accident. Just imagine how his father must have felt when a proponent of this false doctrine told him that his two girls died because he did not believe enough! Such vicious and wrong thinking ignores the reality of Jesus Christ and his grace. Jesus is the gospel - he is the truth that makes us free. In contrast, the prosperity gospel has a business relationship with God and claims that our behavior affects the degree to which God blesses us. It also promotes the lie that the goal of earthly life is to avoid suffering and that God's goal is to maximize our pleasure.

With Jesus in pain

Throughout the New Testament, God calls His people to share joy and sorrow with Jesus. The suffering we are talking about here is not the suffering that comes from stupid mistakes or wrong decisions, or because we have become victims of circumstances or lack of faith. The suffering that Jesus experienced and that we should endure in this fallen world is a matter of the heart. Yes, Jesus also suffered physically, as the Gospels testify, but the suffering he endured voluntarily was the result of his compassionate love for the people. The Bible bears witness to this in many places:

• “But when he saw the crowd, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were haggard and wasting away like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt 9,36)
• “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Mt 23,37)
• “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11,28-30)
• “And when he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it and said, ‘If only you had known at this time what would bring peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes.’” (Lk 19,41-42)
• “And Jesus’ eyes opened.” (Joh 11,35)

Sharing Jesus' compassionate love for humanity often leads to pain and suffering, and this suffering can sometimes be very deep. To avoid such suffering is to avoid loving others with the love of Christ. Such a goal would turn us into self-centered pleasure-seekers, and that is precisely what secular society encourages: Indulge yourself—you deserve it! The prosperity gospel adds to this bad idea a procedure falsely called faith, which is supposed to cause God to fulfill our hedonistic desires. This tragic, false teaching that we can avoid suffering by sternly rebuking it in Jesus' name contradicts what the writer of Hebrews writes about the heroes of faith. (Hebr 11,37-38)These men and women “were stoned, sawn in two, and killed by the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; they endured want, hardship, and abuse.” The Epistle to the Hebrews does not say that they lacked faith, but rather that they were people with deep faith—people for whom the world was not worth the effort. Although they suffered greatly, they remained faithful and devoted witnesses to God and his faithfulness in word and deed.

Following in the footsteps of Jesus

 Jesus, on the night before his greatest suffering (which was prolonged by torture and the subsequent crucifixion), said to his disciples: “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (Joh 13,15)Taking Jesus at his word, one of his disciples, Peter, later wrote this: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1. Petr 2,21)What does it actually mean to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? Here we must be careful because Peter's exhortation is often interpreted too narrowly, frequently excluding following Jesus in his suffering (which Peter explicitly mentions). On the other hand, the exhortation is also interpreted too broadly. We are not called to imitate every aspect of Jesus' life. Since we are not first-century Palestinian Jews (as Jesus was), we don't need to wear sandals, long robes, and phylacteries to follow Jesus. We also understand (as the context of Peter's exhortation suggests) that Jesus, as the Son of God, was, is, and will remain unique. Wind, waves, demons, sickness, bread, and fish obeyed his words when he performed unimaginable miracles that confirmed his identity as the promised Messiah. Even if we are his followers, we don't automatically possess these abilities. Indeed, Peter calls all of us to follow Jesus even in suffering. In 1. Petrus 2,18-25He explained to a group of Christians who were slaves how they, as followers of Jesus, should respond to the unjust treatment they were experiencing. He quoted a text from Jesaja 53 (see also 1. Petr 2,22-25That Jesus was sent by God's love to redeem the world means that Jesus suffered unjustly. He was innocent and remained so even in response to his unjust treatment. He did not retaliate with threats or violence. As Isaiah says: "In whose mouth was no deceit found."

Suffering because you love others

Jesus suffered a lot, but he did not suffer from a missing or wrong faith. On the contrary, out of love, he came to earth - the Son of God became man. Out of faith in God and out of love for those for whose salvation he came to earth, Jesus suffered unjustified suffering and refused to harm even those who abused him - so perfect were his love and faith. If we follow Jesus in suffering because we love other people, let us be comforted that this is a fundamental part of our succession. Note the following two verses:

• "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Ps 34,19)
• “And all who desire to live a devout life in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution.” (2. Tim 3,12)When we empathize with others' suffering, we are filled with love for them.

When our love and God's grace are rejected, we are sad. Even though such a love is precious because it fuels our suffering, we do not run away from it and do not stop loving others the way God loves them. To suffer to love is to be a faithful witness of Christ. So we follow his example and follow in his footsteps.

With Jesus in joy

When we walk with Jesus, together with him we will meet all people with a compassionate love, that is sharing his suffering. On the other hand - and this is the paradox - it is also often true that we share his joy - his joy that all humanity is redeemed in him, that you have been forgiven, and that he has accepted her in his changing love and life , That is why it means sharing joy and sorrow equally with him as we actively follow him. This is the essence of a spiritually and Bible-led life. We should not fall for a false gospel that promises only joy and no suffering. Sharing in both is part of our mission and essential to our intimate fellowship with our compassionate Lord and Savior.

by Joseph Tkach