TThe Agony of God

I am a supporter and avid reader of Christian History.  I was introduced to this publication by my former pastor and mentor. In its most recent publication, Erasmus: Christ’s Humanist, I was intrigued by a statement in one of the articles about Erasmus’ friend, Sir Thomas More.  That article led me to one of More’s publications – and his last – called The Sadness of Christ.

Sir Thomas More lived in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in England. He was the son of Sir John More, a successful lawyer and judge. Thomas was educated at the best schools of his day, including Oxford, then Lincoln’s Inn to study law.  At one time, he considered leaving law and becoming a monk.  He was a devout Catholic – that eventually led to his death by execution.  He was imprisoned in the Tower of London prior to his execution standing firm in his Catholic faith.  While in the Tower, he explored the passages that depicted our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane and the agony that He endured. In his book, he states, “(Christ) as a model of virtue in the face of suffering and persecution.”

My mind absorbed this whole idea of Christ’s agony and suffering as More comments in the Garden, but was that the first time?  I began to make notes from the time of Adam and Eve forward to modern times.  And yes, I suggest God suffered grievously on a myriad of instances over time, including today.

Adam and Eve were created in God’s image and without blemish.  But sin came into the world by their ambition to be more like God with Satan’s coaching.  That to me is the first time that we see agony of our God and Lord.  The Greek word for agony is agonia.  It can be translated struggle or anguish and perhaps “heartbreak.”  I cannot even imagine the heartbreak or anguish that our God felt as He entered Eden to address the sinners.  God’s plan was not lost for He always provides a way out to regain our relationship.  Genesis 3:15 is the protevangel (first gospel) that provides a hope and future to cover the evils of sin.

God’s anguish continues with Adam and Eve’s children – Cain and Abel. Cain, the farmer and Abel, the shepherd each brought offerings to their Lord, but Abel’s found favor as his offering was “the fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.” (Genesis 4:4). Cain’s offering did not find favor and he became angry that resulted in the murder of his brother.  Another chapter in God’s book of anguish.

As sin continued, the Lord saw how great man’s wickedness had become.  Genesis tells us, “The LORD was grieved…heart filled with pain.” (Genesis 6:6, paraphrased) But all was not lost as a man named Noah was righteous in God’s sight.  God used this righteous servant to end this wickedness of its day by means of an earth-covering flood. One of Noah’s sons, Shem, became the ancestor of Abram who would become the father of a great nation. God’s promise was the beginning of His called nation, Israel.  But not without continuing anguish and agony on God’s part.

Sin continued as manifested by Jacob’s sons selling off their brother, Joseph, as a slave. Jacob was grieved, but God did not ignore His called nation of Israel (Jacob’s new name).  As Genesis tells us, Joseph noted that while his brothers meant evil, God meant it for good. Forgiveness given! But after Israel arrived in Egypt and flourished, Pharaoh became fearful of their size and enslaved them.  God indeed was agonized over their treatment and sent Moses to deliver them to a Promised Land.

Traveling through the wilderness, Israel became disenchanted and even wished they were back in Egypt! They even grumbled due to their lack of water. But God miraculously provided water from the rock at Meribah (“rebellion”). Mount Sinai was the site of God’s law given just months after they left Egypt. Later, while Moses was on the mountain with God, the Israelites convinced Aaron to “come make us gods.” (Exodus 32:1ff) Again, God’s book of agony grew, and their deliverance was delayed for years.

Eventually they arrived in the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership.  But history in the new land of milk and honey continued to amp up God’s agony. Sin was pervasive at times, and they continued to ignore God by not abandoning the foreign gods of the former inhabitants. God continued to send various spokespeople – priests, judges, and kings – to govern and guide them in the way that God would have them go. The separation gap between the true God and the false gods grew which fractured Israel (northern and southern tribes).

The kingly period of Israel began with Saul (40 years), then continued with David and his son, Solomon – each 40 years. Scripture tells us that God was grieved over His decision to anoint Saul.  While the times under David and Solomon were great times for Israel, the remaining kings of the divided kingdom were more evil than good.  And so, God’s agony continues.

The powerful Assyrians captured the northern tribes (10) and took them away never to return.  While their attempt to overtake the southern two tribes failed, the south eventually fell to the Babylonians.  God’s agony continues. . .

The captives from Judah and Benjamin saw the light of day and begged their LORD for forgiveness. Under leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, they returned with the blessing of the Persians.  Back again in their broken homeland, God moved the hearts of many captives (Ezra 1:5ff) to rebuild the house of the LORD. Nehemiah’s wall rebuilding was sometime later. (~444 BC)

While back in the Promised Land, this tiny nation continued to be subjected to overseers and captors ending up with the Romans.  Enter God’s timing. And so Malachi’s prophesy of sending a prophet like Elijah is fulfilled in John the Baptist with His LORD (Messiah, Christ) following within months. God’s promise in Genesis is now being fulfilled with none other than God’s only Son, the Messiah. The Messianic deliverance was not without continued anguish on God’s part. Throughout our LORD’s time on this earth, He was subjected to threats of His total demise.

From the devil himself to the Jewish leaders, the Messiah’s life was hanging in the balance! Our LORD’s personal agony reached its pinnacle in His last trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. Part of His anguish was mental as He knew what His disciples would face after His departure. He wept over the Temple and its eventual destruction. Then came Thursday with the Passover meal, and then on to Gethsemane.  Here St. John records His great physical and mental anguish over Himself, His disciples, and all who would follow after Him. (High Priestly Prayer, John 17) His timeline prior to His death is now on a slippery slope as He is tried before the Jewish tribunal and the Romans. And furthering His anguish was His follower’s desertion – including Peter’s denial. But God’s will for His creation must happen.  His crucifixion is recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33; and John 19:17)

The final three words on the cross “IT IS FINISHED,” says it all. The final pain of agony has landed its punch. God’s plan of salvation is almost complete. Yes, Jesus’ physical agony is complete but without overcoming the power of sin, death, and the devil; we are left out in the cold.  But God in His wisdom raised Him from the dead as promised and placed Him at the right hand of God in the seat of power and glory. Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

Following His ascension, the apostolic period of His trained disciples began that included the conversion of the great Pharisee, Saul (Paul). The good news spread but persecution continues, including God’s anguish over their treatment. In modern times we can be sure of our salvation by the blood of the Lamb of God. But as our LORD noted, our treatment by the world is no different than they treated Him. But our anguish and angst are but a shadow of the glory that awaits us in the eternal Jerusalem with the King of kings and LORD of Lords.

Agony complete. Glory reigns! Amen and Amen.

Peace

Connected in Him, I stand

GHR