Brethren, you would recall God promise to purify his people by refining them “in the furnace of affliction”; and to “melt” and “try” them so that they may present to Him “offerings in righteousness”. (Malachi 3:3; Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 9:7). Indeed, the faith of His Spiritual Son encountered such test by “affliction“ in the events around his crucifixion and death.
3.1 THE AGONY OF CHRIST
Jesus was made to suffer every kind of physical, emotional and spiritual hurt that one could suffer. By way of listing, he was the victim of conspiracy, betrayal, hatred, envy and jealousy; mob violence, scourging, smacking, wounding, mockery persecution, oppression, humiliation, rejection pain and grief; false accusation, imprisonment, judgement, condemnation. He was spat on, given vinegar to drink; was looted, lots cast for his vesture, crowned with thorns, and he suffered death by crucifixion with thieves. (See Isaiah 53; Psalm 22:14-18; Matthew 27:34-50; Mark 15:29; Luke 22:63).
Let us examine more closely how Jesus felt under the fiery trial in prayer: It is stated:
“…I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws … the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me…” (Psalm 22:14-17).
And “being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was [like] great drops of blood falling to the ground”. (Luke 22:44)
Fiery furnace indeed! No wonder Jesus was broken both in the flesh and in spirit that he “cried with a loud voice, saying, … My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”. And “with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: … [and] he gave up the ghost”. (Matthew 27:46; Luke: 23:46).
But the question to ponder is why would God allow to try the faith of Jesus by such affliction”, who had done no deceit, sin, or violence as other human beings? (Isaiah 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22).
4. THE FUNCTIONS OF JESUS’ AFFLICTION
