Suffering: How God Wants to Reduce It TodaySmakprov

## The Power of Jesus In our previous readings, we discussed the temporary nature of our time on earth and how suffering will end with the arrival of the Kingdom of God. These are certainly comforting words, but Jesus has more to say to bring even more comfort to us today. First, let’s have a closer look at what Jesus says about the coming of the Kingdom: > “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:15 > As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. – Matthew 10:7-8 > The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. – Luke 7:22b Jesus makes it clear that the coming of the Kingdom of God is not a distant event, but it has already come near through His arrival on earth. And, he sends his disciples out with the same message—people are being healed; suffering is being REDUCED—the Kingdom of God has come near indeed! > Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” – Luke 17:20-21 This particular insight into where the Kingdom of God is is crucial to grasping God's plan for the reduction of suffering. Here, Jesus reveals that the Kingdom is like a seed planted within us—meaning that the Kingdom of God is already here on earth. As believers, having the Kingdom of God within us is likened to a mustard seed that grows into a large tree or yeast that leavens the whole batch of dough. We are here to spread the good news of the Kingdom and also bring about the reduction of suffering throughout the earth! Just like Jesus did. But how does this work in practice? In the next reading, we explore one last parable to gain a clearer understanding how this reduction of suffering comes about, but be prepared—this one is personal and powerful! (to be continued)