Bonhoeffer was an amazing man. Flawed, but amazing. His understanding of suffering as inherent to life is incredible. Even amidst waiting for his execution, he understands that the call of the Christian is to rise to the occasion for another as did Christ. He later says that Christ didn't suffer until he had to, but when the moment came, he embraced it and turned it into salvation. As we, too, enter into the suffering of another, we begin to understand the truth of Christ's love for us. That's why Bonhoeffer suggests we should view others according to what they suffer and not just by what they do or do not do. If we fail to see people in the light of their sufferings, we do them a great disservice because we have failed to see one of the fundamental elements of their humanity.
Christ unites himself to fallen humanity through suffering. If we think, as Christians, that the way we develop important and lasting relationships is through corrective measures without first noting the basis of deviant behavior, we are reduced to moralistic theists at best and judgmental hypocrites without compassion at worst. How can we preach the love and condescension of our Lord on the one and, while on the other we demand faux righteousness from others? The Lord understands our weakness and enters into it, assuming its entirety on the cross and making it the doorway of his grace. It's not wonder that young Christians are turning from their faith as they find each encounter with the Lords people and the church to be nothing more than a cataloging of past misdeeds. Indeed, they often feel marginalized, unseen, unheard, and unable to be known. We are not the summation of our deeds; they come from a place within us that needs to be seen and known. As Christians, we must enter into this place with others and hold their hands as they come to realize the truth of their inner world. This is precisely what Christ did for us, and his heart contains us. We, too, must open our hearts, eyes, and ears and join the suffering of those around us.
