Reflection of class readings

Even after class ended I was still thinking about readings we had that day. The point that Christians should not attempt to solve the hurts of the world by simply covering them up with a superficial sense of happiness was made very clearly. Pain is a very real and natural part of life and to ignore it would be foolish. Not all problems that are present in the world are so minute that they can simply be glossed over but rather require a deeper solution at the root, which is generally takes considerable more work. Many people would look to Jesus and his miraculous abilities to bring healing to many different situations through out his ministry in a single moment. In doing this the larger issue of compassion, in its literal sense meaning to suffer with, is over looked. Christ became man taking on with it all that is entailed with being human, including the suffering and weakness. He spent over thirty three years being human, being tempted and experience pain. By doing this He was becoming the Great High Priest being able to intercede for us in out weaknesses. The best Biblical example I can find of men living out this kind of compassion is found in Job. After Job had lost all his possessions and children and himself been afflicted with sores on his body three of his friends came to visit. Upon seeing how great Job’s suffering was his friends “began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads, Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, No ones said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” (Job 2:12-13) I can only imagine how insulted Job would have been if his friends had come by and told him to “turn his frown upside down”. Job’s response I feel sums this all up when he says “shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Trouble is part of this life and it is not wise to say otherwise.