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==CHAPTER 16==

==CHAPTER 16==

It was the habit of Jesus two evenings each week to hold special converse with individuals who desired to talk with him, in a certain secluded and sheltered corner of the Zebedee garden. At one of these evening conversations in private Thomas asked the Master this question:  

It was the habit of Jesus two evenings each week to hold special converse with individuals who desired to talk with him, in a certain secluded and sheltered corner of the Zebedee garden. At one of these evening conversations in private Thomas asked the Master this question:  

*"Why is it necessary for men to be born of the spirit in order to enter the kingdom? Is rebirth necessary to escape the control of the evil one? Master, what is evil?"

*"Why is it necessary for men to be born of the spirit in order to enter the kingdom? Is rebirth necessary to escape the control of the evil one? <u>Master, what is '''evil'''?"</u>

When Jesus heard these questions, he said to Thomas:  

When Jesus heard these questions, he said to Thomas:  

   

   

   

   

====The Purpose of Affliction====  

====[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_148#148:5._THE_PURPOSE_OF_AFFLICTION The Purpose of Affliction]====  

   

   

At another of these private interviews in the garden Nathaniel asked Jesus:  

At another of these private interviews in the garden Nathaniel asked Jesus:  

*"Master, though I am beginning to understand why you refuse to practice healing indiscriminately, '''I am still at a loss to understand why the loving Father in heaven permits so many of his children on earth to suffer so many afflictions."'''

*<u>"Master, though I am beginning to understand why you refuse to practice healing indiscriminately, I am still at a loss to understand why the loving Father in heaven permits so many of his children on earth to '''suffer''' so many afflictions."</u>

The Master answered Nathaniel, saying:

The Master answered Nathaniel, saying:

*"But, Nathaniel, there is much in the Scriptures that would have instructed you if you had only read with discernment. Do you not remember that it is written: `My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord. Neither be weary of his correction, for whom the Lord loves he corrects, even as the father corrects the son in whom he takes delight.' `The Lord does not afflict willingly.' `Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now do I keep the law. Affliction was good for me that I might thereby learn the divine statutes.' `I know your sorrows. The eternal God is your refuge, while underneath are the everlasting arms.' `The Lord also is a refuge for the oppressed, a haven of rest in times of trouble.' `The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of affliction. The Lord will not forget the sick.' `As a father shows compassion for his children, so is the Lord compassionate to those who fear him. He knows your body. He remembers that you are dust.' `He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.' `He is the hope of the poor, the strength of the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, and a shadow from the devastating heat.' `He gives power to the faint, and to them who have no might he increases strength.' `A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax he will not quench.' `When you pass through the waters of affliction, I will be with you, and when the rivers of adversity overflow you, I will not forsake you.' `He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to comfort all who mourn.' `There is correction in suffering. Affliction does not spring forth from the dust.'"

*"But, Nathaniel, there is much in the Scriptures that would have instructed you if you had only read with discernment. Do you not remember that it is written: `My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord. Neither be weary of his correction, for whom the Lord loves he corrects, even as the father corrects the son in whom he takes delight.' `The Lord does not afflict willingly.' `Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now do I keep the law. Affliction was good for me that I might thereby learn the divine statutes.' `I know your sorrows. The eternal God is your refuge, while underneath are the everlasting arms.' `The Lord also is a refuge for the oppressed, a haven of rest in times of trouble.' `The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of affliction. The Lord will not forget the sick.' `As a father shows compassion for his children, so is the Lord compassionate to those who fear him. He knows your body. He remembers that you are dust.' `He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.' `He is the hope of the poor, the strength of the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, and a shadow from the devastating heat.' `He gives power to the faint, and to them who have no might he increases strength.' `A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax he will not quench.' `When you pass through the waters of affliction, I will be with you, and when the rivers of adversity overflow you, I will not forsake you.' `He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to comfort all who mourn.' `There is correction in suffering. Affliction does not spring forth from the dust.'"

====The Misunderstanding of Suffering -- Discourse on Job====  

====The Misunderstanding of Suffering -- Discourse on Job====  

   

   

'''It was this same evening at Bethsaida that John also asked Jesus why so many apparently innocent people suffered from so many diseases and experienced so many afflictions.'''

It was this same evening at Bethsaida that John also asked Jesus:

*<u>"Why do so many apparently innocent people '''suffer''' from so many diseases and experience so many afflictions?"</u>

In answering John's questions, among many other things, the Master said:

In answering John's questions, among many other things, the Master said: