Suffering
The always enlightening R.C. Sproul once wrote; “Jesus suffered so deeply because the extent of evil in the world is so vast. Every consequence of every sin of each one of His people was placed on Him.
Suffering (written by David Peterson)
The story of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus, found in Luke 24:13-35, describes how two disciples were walking to Emmaus after Jesus' crucifixion when they encountered a stranger, who was actually the risen Jesus. They did not recognize Him until He broke bread with them during a meal, at which point their eyes were opened, and they realized who he was.
Before this, as Cleopas and the other man discussed the risen Christ, Jesus spoke to them in vv 25-26; He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” Jesus admonishes them for not believing prophecy about Himself, especially about His suffering for the benefit of all people.
The always enlightening R.C. Sproul once wrote; “Jesus suffered so deeply because the extent of evil in the world is so vast. Every consequence of every sin of each one of His people was placed on Him. To carry this dreadful burden was His vocation. To bear this pain and disease was His mission. The magnitude of this horror is beyond our understanding. But He understood it because it was His to bear. Jesus endured His suffering in order to redeem His people. But those He redeemed are not thereby delivered from all pain and misery. Indeed, as we shall see, we His people are called to participate in His suffering.” Sproul sums up the magnitude and suffering Jesus endured for us well.
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” is an 1868 hymn by Elizabeth C. Clephane that reflects on Jesus’ suffering in verse 2;
Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffer'd there for me;
And from my striken heart, with tears,
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love,
And my unworthiness.
Indeed, Jesus suffered in our place!
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, today, we remember the price You paid for us. You were painfully beaten, mocked, and crucified, not for Your own sin, but for our sin. Your suffering is our gain. Amen.
