Suffering and Grace - Series Part 1

This post is based on the sermon series Suffering and Grace that pastor Sam gave in Grace Gospel Church. The sermon introduces the book of Job as a profound and essential text, particularly for Christians. Pastor Sam describes Job as "the grandest book ever written with pen," citing Victorian essayist Thomas Carlyle. A central argument presented from the outset is that the book of Job "makes no sense apart from the cross of Christ". Without Jesus, Job is presented as merely "the record of an unanswered agony".

The series title itself, "Suffering and Grace - (The Wisdom of the Cross)," hints at the interpretive lens applied throughout, viewing Job's experiences through the perspective of Christ's suffering and the grace that flows from it. The overall theme of the series is "Seeing through suffering". It is suggested that if one can "see through" to God as Job eventually does, fear can be replaced by trust, and claimed righteousness can give way to grace. The prayer offered is that this journey through Job will equip readers to minister more effectively to those who question "Why?" in their own suffering.

Part 1 posits that Job confronts readers with significant personal and pastoral questions related to suffering, such as the physical or emotional pain one might endure, the helplessness felt when witnessing others' distress, and the challenge of evil in the world. The book is described as not merely academic but deeply relevant to people who have experienced suffering, addressing the problem of evil as a crucial issue in biblical faith.

A particularly significant question raised is, "What kind of Savior do we need?". The sermon emphasizes that the book of Job ultimately makes sense only in light of the obedience of Jesus Christ, specifically His obedience to death on the cross. Job is portrayed as an extreme figure who foreshadows Christ, being a man whose greatness and suffering are surpassed by Jesus, and whose own imperfect obedience only faintly anticipates Christ's perfect obedience to His Father.

The book tackles the cosmic question often debated: "Why do the wicked prosper and the innocent suffer in an orderly universe created by a just God?". While Job doesn't offer easy answers to this or the sufferer's anguish, it provides a perspective of faith that shifts the focus from asking "why" to understanding "who". The book is presented as an "impassioned experience" that explores the content of religious faith and reveals the process of spiritual growth. It is seen as an adventure that requires engaging with the book not just intellectually, but with one's "heart".

The structure of the book of Job is noted to be quite long, forty-two chapters in total, consisting of a prose prologue (chapters 1-2), a long poetic dialogue section (chapters 3-41), and a prose epilogue (chapter 42). The length is presented as intentional. There are no instant answers or quick fixes for pain and grief, and the book reflects this reality through its slow pace and lengthy arguments. The journey through Job, much like therapy, is described as taking a long time, involving unlearning old ways of thinking and developing a more sustainable perspective.

Reading Job requires patience and can be challenging. It forces readers to "rethink our prejudices; rethink our theology; rethink the meaning of pastoral care in the face of injustice and suffering; rethink what we say about God". The path to hearing God's voice at the end of the book is described as "long, painful and arduous".

The initial depiction of Job in the prologue is highlighted: he is a man in the land of Uz, described as blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. He was also exceptionally wealthy, possessing large numbers of livestock and servants, making him the "greatest of all the people of the east". This sets a scene where the "prosperity gospel seems to be true" initially. The prologue also offers a glimpse into a heavenly conversation where God is presented as sovereign and in control, even over Satan, who is introduced as the accuser. God points out Job's blamelessness to Satan, who suggests Job's faith is based on his prosperity. This heavenly dialogue provides the underlying context for Job's suffering, which is unknown to Job and his friends.

The friends of Job, who appear after his suffering begins, struggle to cope with the reality of his pain. They are described as trying to find causes and solutions, insisting on proclaiming their theological truth which links suffering directly to sin. They find it difficult to live with the suffering Job embodies and are uncomfortable with the mystery it presents, attempting to solve it rather than enduring the uncertainty. This failure to grapple with innocent suffering is a major theme that will be explored throughout the series.

Ultimately, Job's journey is presented as a path of faith that leads to seeing God. The book of Job, viewed through the lens of the cross, points towards the possibility of undeserved suffering and the reality of undeserved grace, foreshadowing Christ's work.