We know that Jesus’ love was manifested to us by entering into human suffering by way of incarnation. When He came in human flesh, it meant that He would experience all the things that humans experience down to suffering and death. The human condition in its present state is full of suffering. As Christians we can receive this as a gift, because love does not mature without suffering. What shapes and matures us is to feel the pain of humanity and to feel the pain of Christ. When He took on our humanity, He took on our pain. When we embrace the One who suffered for all, we receive all for whom He suffered.
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
