Searching for our tree of life

On Wednesdays at church we're studying how to deal with lost people who don't believe in God at all, and know so many reasons why they shouldn't (apologetics). Last night the question was "If God is a good and loving God then why is there suffering in the world?" One point was brought up that I hadn't really ever considered. The God of the Bible (our God) is the only one who came to suffer for his followers. You do not find that in other religions. Seeing that Jesus came down and suffered for us, with purpose, you can conclude that there is purpose in our suffering. Now, we won't know what that purpose is until we get to heaven, but we don't suffer in vain. On the way home Jeremy and I were talking about Jesus on the cross. Most people just see a man hanging up on a tree. We know (from the Bible) that Jesus took the punishment of every sin ever committed onto himself when he was on the cross. In our human minds I don't think we can even begin to comprehend the pain that was on Jesus as he suffered punishment for every sin mankind would commit. On top of that his own Father turned his back on him, and wouldn't/couldn't communicate with him. Imagine your child in pain, hurting, even dying, could you just turn your back on them and ignore their cries for help? I know you couldn't, and neither could I. God did that for us. Jesus suffered total separation from his Father. He'd always been in communication with God until the cross. I cannot imagine a life without God. A second without God. It scares me to think of it. Jesus endured punishment without the comfort of knowing God was with him...for us. Wow. I know it's Christmas and the world sees a little baby in a manger. I would like to encourage each one of us to remember that the manger was just the beginning. It was huge, because Jesus Christ left all the glory and comforts of heaven to come to earth for us, but it was not over that day in Bethlehem. Jesus did give us the greatest present ever. He came to earth to die, rise again, and offer us forgiveness for our sins, a personal relationship with God, and a home with him in heaven.