Christ’s Passion

Christ’s Passion

Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God.

1 Peter 3:18

Ever since Adam and Eve chose to sin back in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3), suffering has been part of human existence. To suffer is to experience agony, distress, intense pain, or great sorrow. Some people suffer from illness, others lose a child in an accident, some are betrayed, and others lose everything they own in a flood or a war. But Jesus experienced unparalleled suffering.

As we learn in Isaiah 53, Jesus was despised and rejected, he carried all our sorrows, he was pierced for our transgressions, he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and he bore the sins of the whole world.

Look through the eyes of a mother to get a glimpse of Jesus’ suffering: “What mother’s sufferings were ever equal to Mary’s? Jesus was only thirty-three, her firstborn, the son of her strength. There he hung before her eyes, but she was helpless.”^a Mary stood at the foot of the cross and watched Jesus bleeding, but she couldn’t tend to his wounds. Jesus was thirsty, and Mary couldn’t give him a drink. The arms that were stretched out on a cross were arms that had frequently given Mary a hug. What agony for Mary that day; nails pierced Jesus’ hands and a sword pierced her soul.

I hope I never forget that although Pilate issued the official order sentencing Jesus to death by crucifixion, Jesus bore the weight of all my sin as well. I deserved the wages and penalties for my sin, and yet Jesus suffered them for me. What a wonderful Savior!

Jesus,

Thank you for paying the penalty for our sin and suffering for our sin. May we offer you our devotion in return. Amen.