Shelbyville Daily Union

Ask the Pastor

April 21, 2011

Ask the Pastor

CNHI

SHELBYVILLE, IL. — Why did Jesus have to suffer so badly?

 

Several years ago Mel Gibson came out with the movie, The Passion of the Christ; it was a very graphic depiction of how Christ spent his last days of on earth. In many scenes the movie is tough to watch, but the movie tries to do justice the suffering described in the Bible, and to give us today a greater love and respect for what Christ did for us.

In the Bible, it talks about Christ’s suffering in a few different places. Isaiah 52 describes Jesus as being beaten so much that he was not even recognized as human. Can you imagine that, looking at a bloody mess and not knowing if it was a human or animal? In Psalm 22, the Messiah is described to have all of his joints out of place, his heart having being turned to wax, his strength dried up, and his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

Christ suffered because he took the sins of the world on his shoulders, all sins, even yours and mine (Rom 5:8, 1 Jn 2:2). He cried out from the cross asking God why he had forsaken him, he did this because he was experiencing the weight of sin. The suffering from the weight of sin was far more intense than that of the human beating. He was emotionally drained, and physically exhausted.

Jesus did this for you, as uncomfortable as it may be. We did not ask for it, and if given the choice, we would not want anyone to suffer like this, but God did not ask us, his plan was that Christ was to die this way, in order that we may have a relationship with him. To show him your gratitude for his suffering and taking away of your sins, all he asks for is your worship and devotion. How are you going to make this Easter more meaningful than in the past?



Chase Smith is the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Shelbyville. For more information from Chase or the church call 774-3636 or visit www.fellowshipinshelbyville.com.

 

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