Suffering

SUFFERING

(Roy Dianon)

The most common question some humans have is: “If God was really good and powerful he wouldn't allow so much evil and suffering to go on reappearing on this planet earth?” To mention only a few, new diseases are continually appearing and the old ones are coming back but worse than before. Typhoon hit more frequently with extremely shocking effect. Anywhere in the world is threatened by rising water levels while other nations suffering the effects of devastating drought and the rest of the world are not free of the unpredictable earthquake shake.

The skyrocketing oil price and the global food prices, worsen the problem of the people most especially in the purchasing power needed to buy their daily needs and the unexpected life’s trouble associated with financial obligation. The problems are so complicated, that one big step to solve it, still seems like a teardrop in the ocean. But if you look around, seeing so many people in the mall going to and fro, people rush to the street to go for work, people crowded the beach during weekend, and heavy traffic, putting it side by side with the suffering and pain, suffering and pain in comparison seems insignificant.  

Two thousand years ago, Jesus was whipped and beaten, literally beyond recognition, then nailed to a cross between two common criminals. One of these criminals was cursing and shouting at Him in a fit of extreme anger, “Hey if you are the KING,” why don't you get yourself down from there, and us, too. But the other criminal said, you and I are here because we deserve it.  But this man Jesus has done nothing wrong.  And he said unto Jesus, Lord; remember me when thou come into thy kingdom. Jesus simply replied, Today you'll be with me in Paradise.

What we have here is a brief conversation which picture the world we have today. One picture symbolizes the thief who refuses to accept any responsibility for his actions. He's unwilling to admit for the wrong that he committed. The other picture symbolizes the thief who admits his guilt. He recognizes that Jesus possesses divine authority. He asks for forgiveness. Forgiveness granted. But Jesus pardon doesn't make the cross or the suffering to be over or the reason may become directly clear right away there and then. But one thing is sure; in the midst of our suffering we have a companion. Accept that fact that God has suffered with us, or mock him with anger because truly suffering really exists. Frankly speaking, nobody wants to mock God, but in secret many were doing, denying the sin we truly committed.