Inward groaning for the adoption as sons, that is, for the redemption of our bodies, is the experience of those “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit” (Romans 8:23). Although the Spirit of God indwells us, He does not yet take away the wearing down of our bodies. That is why the Spirit is referred to as the firstfruits. He is the God-given down payment of our future bodily redemption. So while we remain in these fallen bodies, we groan inwardly for our future glory as the children of God (Romans 8:21b). For most of us, this groaning for our future redemption is merely a faint inward reality until the days of our youth eventually fade away. This fading away usually happens gradually, so gradually that our awareness of it is fairly easy to suppress.

However, there are times in the lives of many of God’s saints when this gradual, almost unnoticeable fading becomes suddenly and painfully noticeable. This is when the inward groaning turns outward. What was once an inward groaning without a strikingly perceptible corresponding form becomes an outward groaning with a strikingly visible corresponding form. What was once a reality that we successfully suppressed, namely, that our bodies, which we religiously feed, exercise, and dress up, are in BONDAGE to decay (Romans 8:21), becomes a reality that is painfully visible and impossible to suppress.

To witness such a thing happening to a fellow justified and being sanctified image-bearer can be profoundly difficult, especially when it happens to one’s grandmother. Yet, when in the light of the gospel, someone witnesses the inward groaning of his grandmother take on flesh and turn outward, he does not witness it without hope. You ask, “How can that be? How can it be that someone can witness such a terrible thing in hope?” It is because in the gospel is given the unbelievable promise that God glorifies, that is, God redeems bodily, all those whom He justifies (Romans 8:30). The gospel declares that for the one who believes in Jesus this inward groaning turned outward is not the end! Rather, the gospel states that this groaning-turned-outward is not worthy to be compared to the glories which shall be revealed at the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:18).

The gospel frees us to weep in hope, to rejoice in weeping, to praise the Lamb who will one day make all things new although our bodies presently languish under the curse! Therefore, I weep in hope, rejoice in my weeping, and praise the Lamb who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows that we might be healed by His stripes (Isaiah 53:4-5). Grandma, I love both you and our God who in your suffering is demonstrating the depth of His riches and wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:36)!