The Pain and Joy of a Meaningful Life for Others

What is the meaning of it?
Why do I suffer?
Why do good people have so many problems?
Why do the wicked Prosper? (the psalmist question)
Why me?

Are they surface questions or pathways to the deeper question of "meaning in the midst?"

Does an atonement perspective with a redemptive, priestly, missional mindset re-frame the question itself to plumb the depths of possibilities?

To some extent, measured and meted for each,  pain is our common denominator: physical pain, emotional pain, relational pain, generational pain, and spiritual pain. It is our existential battleground where we are surrounded by fellow strugglers, but often so blinded by our inward focus that we do not see them.

We see them superficially, but we do not really see them ... not through their face and into their hearts.

Then, comes Jesus, a faithful high priest.

Hebrews 2:14-18

"Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested." (NRSV)

 

Through suffering and testing, Jesus became like us, His brothers and sisters. We are all like each other in that we suffer. He became like us in the same way. That suffering has been for us, a testing, luring us into slavery to the fear of death. In entering into our testing and conquering both death and the fear of death, He became the atoning and merciful high priest who helps us and liberates us from slavery. Suffering is powerful and redemptive. As we enter into His suffering and embrace our own, with His help, we are also, as a priestly people, able to help others. This is the deepest meaning of our pain, a life offered for others in Jesus' Name. 

 

Mother Teresa said,  “A life not lived for others is not a life.” 

Even Einstein knew this reality in observing that only a life lived for others is worthwhile. 

The atonement embraces our sin and suffering and overcomes them by sharing their sting. Then, it liberates us to be fully alive participants in the ministry of liberation.

But we must enter into our own pain, and then, into the pain of others. Until we see possibility of the attraction of this, we remain self-absorbed and sad slaves into a web of meaninglessness. 

The sacrificial life is the life of greatest pain and joy. It is the priestly life, where we follow Jesus into the realm of a common humanity with good news born out of the compassion of One who died for us that we might enter into the fullness of life.