Suffering is probably the greatest challenge to Christian faith. Reconciling the deep pain of life, with the deep love of God, is difficult.
PICTURE: Diana Vargas/Unsplash
The cross of Christ seems to me to be the best, perhaps only place, where these things can be reconciled.
On the cross, the deep pain of life – injustice, evil, rejection, death – collides with the deep love of God: sacrificial, self-giving, love.
On the cross, Jesus joins in solidarity with all those who have ever suffered inexplicably, unjustly, cruelly, and then, through resurrection, turns suffering into salvation.
God doesn’t delete evil in one fell swoop – why not – because aren’t we evil?
Rather God redeems that which is evil, that which is part of the problem, in one profound swoop, hoping to sweep us up into His loving, nail-scarred arms.
Have you been swept up?
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
