Jesus’ Suffering and the Human Experience

A Reflection for Friday, April 11 by Rev. Julia Styles

Lectionary reading for 4/11/2025: Psalm 31:9-16; Isaiah 54:9-10; Hebrews 2:10-18

Selected Passage: Hebrews 2:14-18

Read

Hebrews 2:14-18 New Living Translation

14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Reflect

When we experience suffering, we can often feel isolated or judged, assuming no one would understand what we are going through. We might even belittle our own suffering, comparing our plight to someone that seems to be worse off, saying “this problem seems small in comparison with those that are starving or enduring war.” As a result, we might avoid turning to God with our hurt and anxiety, assuming God only desires our thanks and praise. It is ironic that suffering causes us to isolate and turn inwards, when the fact is that suffering is a part of the human experience, and no matter how much we try to avoid or mask suffering, it will eventually come our way.

In Hebrews 2:10-18, we see that God desired to be in relationship with us so much that God sent God’s self in the form of Jesus, experiencing the suffering and vulnerability that we experience here on earth. While Jesus was on earth he experienced the plight of a refugee when his family fled for Egypt, the vulnerability of being a child, temptation, hunger and thirst in the desert, humiliation and judgement from his own people, betrayal by his friends and followers, judgement from the religious elites, persecution from the government, anger at injustice and wrongdoing, misunderstanding from friends and foes alike, despair over the plight of Israel, and finally torture, capital punishment and death on the cross. 

God has always been available to hear our cries of lament; today’s lectionary reading of Psalm 39:1-8 is an example of an honest lament to God. But there is something comforting about knowing that Jesus has experienced many of the same emotions, temptations and suffering as us. When we are met with empathy, compassion and patience rather than judgment and condemnation, we start to heal and not feel so alone. With Jesus in mind, we can approach  God without shame, knowing He understands our trials and tribulations. God has compassion for the human experience and wants us to come to God not just with awe, joy and gratitude but also with our grief, sadness, anger, pain, vulnerability and disappointment.

Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, we also have a promise that the challenges, pains and lows we face do not define us, nor do they determine our future. Because Jesus defeated death: death, disease, injustice and evil no longer have the final word.  

No matter what you are going through, God is with you (Immanuel-God with Us)

No matter where you feel defeated, God will Save you, (Jesus/Yeshua-God Saves)

Respond

There is a simple body prayer I teach in Spiritual Direction. Perhaps you would like to try it now:

• Start by holding your hands in front of you, fists clenched. 

• Imagine your fear, pain and sorrow are held in your fists. Release those worries, fears and sorrow by opening your fists and turning your hands palms-down. 

• Imagine your pain is now in the hands of God.

• Finally turn your hands palms-up and imagine God filling them with God’s love and compassion until they overflow.

• Place your hands on your heart in gratitude to conclude the prayer.

Rest

We are grateful that God made Jesus in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. May we lean on Jesus in times of suffering and put our hope in his saving grace. Amen.

About the Author

Julia Styles is a writer, spiritual director, and mother living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about women’s empowerment and helping people connect with God in their everyday lives. Writing and editing Prayerful Reflections is a spiritual practice that continues to re-connect her with God, creativity, and the greater Christian community. As a spiritual director, she meets with people online one-on-one for prayer, discernment, lament and encouragement. If you want a safe and sacred space to reflect on how God is at work in your life, sign up for a free spiritual direction session here.