There is life in pain!
In churches and in the Christian environment, one of the most discussed topics is the death of Christ, that is, His sacrifice.
It’s been a while since I heard a preaching in which the pastor compared Jesus’ death to a woman’s labor. This sermon left a deep impression on me and I would like to share some insights with you.
The gestation
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
When a woman is pregnant, there is the entire waiting period of pregnancy, the 9 months, which is a necessary preparation time. It’s no use wanting it to take less or more time, the body has a determined time to generate and be generated.
From the birth of Jesus to the day of His death, there was a time of 33 years. During all these years, He knew the promise. He knew what must be done, that he would die for all of us. But even though He had the knowledge of what would happen, the time of waiting and preparation was essential and indispensable.
He needed to walk among us, teach the word in a tangible way. Operate miracles and wonders. His walk made Him more and more worthy of being called “God”, and His passage here on earth brought us closer to the Father.
The time of gestation was crucial and indispensable for us, as sons, to be generated for eternal life.
The labor
“My comfort in my suffering is this: ‘Your promise preserves my life”
Psalms 119:50
After the time of gestation, after all the months of preparation, it’s time to give birth. The dream of reaching the goal and then being able to live up to the promise is finally realized.
I’m not a mother, but I’ve heard a lot about labor pains. This pain happens to both the mother and the baby (although we don’t remember later). They say it is one of the most complex and strong pains, but at the same time it is the most important part between gesturing and the face-to-face encounter with the child. Between preparation and life.
That was the hour of pain that Jesus felt. The contraction was the moment his body was bringing life. Where He found himself suffering in pain, but finding strength through the promise that would follow.
The birth
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”
Romans 8:18
Moms also comment a lot that, as soon as the baby is born, the pain seems to go away in the blink of an eye, quickly and suddenly, even though there is recovery time, the resurrection period that is still a little delicate.
Relief takes over after the time of pain, and so we can see life poured out. After that period, everything starts to be more worthwhile and have an even greater added value.
The pain, which before seemed the end, something that would be unbearable, becomes too small next to the life that formed through it. The life we receive through Jesus is the greatest promise given by the Lord. We become children, we are born of Love itself.
Just as your mother went through the pain of childbirth so that you might have life today, God suffered with Jesus so that we could be born again and have a face-to-face encounter with the Father.
Rest knowing that you are a beloved son, dreamed and generated by the Lord.
by
Rapha Abreu is a journalist and cultural producer, and part of the marketing, writing and content production team at Mr. Rocco.
