God and the Mystery of Human Suffering, Part IV
(unless otherwise noted, notes are from God and the Mystery of Human Suffering, by Robin Ryan)
Begin with the Lord’s Prayer
“Christian perspectives on the mystery of human suffering assume the revelations of God proclaimed in the Hebrew scriptures.” Christians interpret experiences of suffering through this lens. However, “the ministry and destiny of Jesus shine new light on the relationship of God to the human family.
Daniel Harrington discusses the perspectives on suffering found in the NT under three major headings: Jesus and the kingdom of God, death and resurrection, suffering for the gospel.
Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Major focus of Jesus’ public ministry was his proclamation of the kingdom of God. This idea had its roots in earlier ideas of God as sovereign ruler represented so passionately in the Psalms, and some of the prophets.
Kingdom of God—Jesus evoked a story line for the people of that day; the people of Israel longed for the God of the covenant to come in power and rule the world in the way that God had always intended. Kingdom of God makes us think also of God as ruler of all creation, people, and over history of both. The concept –God drawing near to rule creation.
Thy kingdom come—
Preaching–
This proclamation of the reign of God—the assumptions are that all is not right in creation, powers active in creation that are distinct from God and opposed to the divine purposes, rebellious creation has fallen away from God and come under domination of evil. Creation is wounded by evil and suffers intensely from the presence of evil. Future coming of God means reversal of all unjust suffering.
But Jesus spoke of kingdom of God as already being present as well—Luke 11:20, the kingdom of God has come to you. Luke 17:21, the kingdom of God is among you. Jesus IS the kingdom of God, but there’s still that future dimension of the total and complete kingdom of God yet to come.
Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God in word and deed, and the Jesus tells parables to help bring the kingdom to birth—they invite people into the kingdom, tell of dire consequences for those who choose not to enter.
Holy Eucharist—
The table fellowship of Jesus. Part of Israel’s eschatological imagery—the heavenly banquet
A vivid memory associated w/ Jesus was his penchant for eating with those outside of society—tax collectors and sinners (Mark2:15-17), and he was harshly criticized for this by the religious authorities. His claim to have authority to forgive sins is sometimes associated with this experience of table fellowship—table fellowship was an outward sign of God’s forgiving and redeeming love of God. Jesus welcomes outcasts and brings them into fellowship with God.
Jesus’ healing ministry—In Mark we see this ministry begin almost immediately, healing is part of the announcement of the kingdom
Historical Jesus—Jesus’ actions as a healer and exorcist are among the most ancient recollections of his memory. These acts are acts of power—one of the means by which the kingdom comes in that moment, weapons against evil, breaking Satanic forces that manifest themselves in sickness and in death.
All of these were signs of the restoration of God’s rule in the first century worldview (How do these signs fit into today’s worldview?—coincidences, luck, scientific advancements?)
Presence of the reign of God affects us as whole people—not just a spiritual dimension. The acts of Jesus were signs pointing toward the fullness of God’s kingdom where there will be no more suffering.
The Death and Resurrection of Jesus (Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again)
The death of Jesus is something we Christians turn to when we search for the meaning of suffering and presence of God in the midst of suffering. “The very one who is appointed by God to put an end to all suffering is involved in the deepest distress and becomes the sufferer in a unique sense. At the same time the early Christian community reflected on the sufferings of Jesus from the vantage point of their faith in Christ as risen, as brought to new life with God and to victory over death.”
What did Jesus know about his own destiny? “The Jesus who was human as well as divine had a real human history. This means that he, too, had to journey into the future of his own life with trust in the God he called ‘Abba.’” Gospel tradition is that was that Jesus was convinced that his life would be taken from him violently, but that God would ultimately vindicate him. (Jewish understanding of prophetic figures who were martyred—Jeremiah and the suffering servant in Isaiah are two examples)
Prophetic understanding on part of Jesus—we see this in Matthew23:37-39, when Jesus excoriates Jerusalem for rejecting him—“Jerusalem that killeth the prophets…”
Gerald O’Collins—“A straight line led from his serving ministry to his suffering death.” Jesus was full of a radical love for God and for neighbor, life marked by humble sacrifice and service for others/reverent trust in his Father.
Eucharist-Jesus identifying bread with his own flesh—the vulnerability of the whole person. Sharing of bread in this way meant that Jesus gave all of himself. Blood—reminiscent of covenant that Moses sealed at Sinai with the blood of bulls. “In the fact of death, Jesus celebrates this unique ritual at his farewell meal to proclaim his own faith that God his Father would not let Jesus’ work be destroyed, that somehow God would integrate even Jesus’ death into his life’s work, yes, that God would vindicate Jesus beyond death and bring him to the eschatological banquet.”
The Resurrection
“The early Christian community reflected on the meaning of Jesus’ suffering and death in light of its faith in the Risen Christ.” Each Gospel tradition centers on Jesus appearing to the Twelve and commissioning them for their mission. See 1Corinthians 15:3-8—this is a critical message of salvation for the early church.
Corinthians passage—Jesus died for our sins and his death has significance for our salvation, destiny of Jesus is essential to God’s saving will. Death of Jesus, and then indication that God raised Jesus (he was raised) Appeared—in the context of a theophany, and appearance of the risen Lord ushers in a new era of salvation.
Resurrection—Jesus is raised up by the Father, and he lives on in this transformed state. Certain followers see Jesus, who is revealed to them in this transformed state. Seeing Jesus in this transformed state has to do with faith—a “believing” seeing. Meaning and significance of his resurrection has to be seen in the context of his public life. Through his abiding trust in the Father, Jesus gave grounds for hope that he and his mission would be vindicated. (John Calvin)
Resurrection gives us new insight into the person of Jesus, especially the unique relationship he has with God. Gerald O’Collins says “In short, the resurrection fully and finally revealed the meaning and truth of Christ’s life, person, work and death. It set a divine seal on Jesus and his ministry.”
Resurrection led believers to a fresh understanding of God. God can be found in the suffering one. The resurrection shows that that the weak, the despised, and the suffering—those who become fools for God’s sake, can serve a s special mediators of revelation and salvation.
God is the one who resurrects; who brings life out of death, and Jesus is the love of God made flesh.
Suffering for the Gospel
“Those who strive to bear witness to Jesus and the kingdom he proclaimed can expect to experience misunderstanding and direct opposition in this world. They will suffer for the gospel. This theme emerges in every New Testament text.
Paul
Paul speaks boldly and directly about his suffering as a result of being an apostle. Paul does not explore the reasons for the presence of suffering in his life; rather, he focuses on the blessings that God has brought about as a result of it.
Letters to the Corinthians—Paul develops the theology of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:25) Paul applies the wisdom of the cross to his own ministry and to the experiences of those reading his letters. “For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ” (1:5)
Paul accepts his suffering as part of making the work of Jesus visible in the world—just as the death of Jesus has the effect of making the life of Jesus visible as well. In reflecting on the sufferings he has endured, Paul applies the theology of the cross to his own life. As it happened with the cross of Jesus, God’s power and wisdom continue to be revealed through weakness and foolishness. (2 Corinthians 11:16-33)
Hebrews
Letter is aimed at Christians who are suffering for their faith. Author of the letter is encouraging the recipients to remain steadfast in their faith. Author relates their suffering to the suffering of Jesus. “The central theological message of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is both the perfect sacrifice for sins and the great high priest who willingly offered himself for sins.” The death of Jesus is an offering for others and an offering for sins.
Abasement and exaltation of Jesus. (2:9, 17)
(2:10) Extraordinary claim—It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Jesus as pioneer, who leads others on a journey toward a new land. Jesus is brought to perfection through the experience of suffering—perfection in terms of being made complete in his vocation as high priest.
Author of Hebrews wants readers to know that in their suffering they are following a pioneer who was brought to fulfillment by experiencing death and is able to help them in the trials they are undergoing. The Hebrews needed the encouragement of hearing that they belonged to a community of suffering people and that in suffering Jesus was their pioneer and leader.
Suffering as a divine discipline—Hebrews 12:2 Jesus as the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of God.” This tradition is also found in Wisdom literature and in 2 Maccabes. Hebrews quotes Proverbs 3:11-12 to support this interpretation. See Hebrews 12:5-6)
This interpretation of suffering as divine discipline is ambiguous. It is simply one interpretation among many others. Author of Hebrews is trying to give a positive meaning to something that is decidedly negative. Encouragement.
Next week—I Peter, and The Gospel of Mark.
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.