As Jesus hung on the cross, He encountered pain that we can only imagine. Even through His pain, Jesus taught us how to respond to pain in our own life.
- Forgive people. A lot of the pain we encounter today stems around someone getting hurt feelings or someone saying something insensitive. We hold grudges way too easily. We need to forgive others. Jesus even said it in the model prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” On the cross, Jesus said, Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
- Remember that we have eternal life. Jesus told us to save up treasure in heaven not on earth. We have the greatest reward of all time. Forever with Jesus. Luke 23:43, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
- Lean on your family. God gave you a family for you to love and they hopefully will be there when you really need them when you are in pain. Family was so important that Jesus thought of family even when on the cross. John 19:26-27, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He *said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”
- Doubts are likely. Even Jesus, knowing the outcome still cried out: Matt. 27:46, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” Why did Jesus say that? Jesus took on all of the world’s sin and sin separates us from God.
- Take care of your body. You’ve heard, “Starve a cold, feed a fever?” Who here eats when they get sad? What do you eat? John 19:28, “I am thirsty.”
- There is an end to pain. Pain does not last forever. John 19:30, “It is finished!”
- Give it all to God. Jesus knew, even through His pain that God was going to take care of Him. Luke 23:46, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.”