What He Endured For Us

From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Matthew 16:21 (CSB)

I have seen the movie “The Passion of Christ” two or three times. I have seen other movies depicting the death of Jesus. And since I was a boy I have heard and read the events of the suffering and death of Jesus. To this very day I cringe and can barely endure to see depicted or to read about the suffering and death of my Lord.

When we love and care about someone it hurts us to see them suffer. Indeed, often it is the case that we would rather be suffering in their stead if we could rather than see them endure pain. When it comes to Jesus not only is it hard to see and read about what He endured, it is doubly worse because we know that what He suffered was on our behalf, and He would not have suffered at all except that He loves us so very much He was willing to die for our sins.

Despite how hard it is to watch and think about, it is at the cross where everything changed for this world. It is at the cross where blood was shed that we find redemption. It is almost inconceivable that what brought Jesus so much pain and misery has brought us so much hope and joy. For every debt, every vile thought, every contemptuous word, every unholy action, every sin from the beginning of time until the fulfillment of all things has been covered, the debt is removed from off of our backs, and the toll road to heaven paid for by Jesus on our behalf.

We grieve when we think about what Jesus endured for you and me. It hurts us to see or read about Him being whipped, spat upon, nailed to a cross, and mocked as He suffered for us. Yet as we hurt for Him let us also look beyond the horrors He went through. Let us see the joy and glory He received as the spotless Lamb of God who brings us into His glory. We will have glory with Him in heaven all because of what He suffered and endured and overcame on our behalf.

We suffer much on this earth, endure pain, loss, hardships of all kinds. But let us never forget what our loving Lord did for us, what He made possible for us. For those who have received Jesus into our hearts no matter what we suffer here it is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us because of Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for everything You endured for us. Thank You for making a way into heaven for us. Thank You for dying on a cross for us. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2017