It’s Easter Time – The Time of Suffering

Palm Sunday – A purpose for suffering, A plan for pain

“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16:21).

The problem with being God is the knowledge of the future. Jesus prepared the disciples for the future by letting them know that suffering would soon come to Him in Jerusalem. He revealed that He would also be killed at the hands of the accusers. In that revelation of knowledge it is understood that He knew His own destiny. The grand plan of redemption was established from before the foundation of the world. Jesus was God in the flesh and the full implication of His sacrifice was well known.

Knowing the suffering and death that Jesus would suffer increased His pain in dreaded anticipation. Knowing His destiny did not lessen the agony but rather increased the suffering. No doubt the travail He endured in the Garden before His arrest and trial was more severe due to His knowledge of what was to come. His sweat became as great drops of blood as He envisioned the agony of the passion.

Divine destiny drove Jesus to accomplish the mission of propitiation. He resisted the temptation to circumvent the crucifixion. When Peter rebuked Him saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” Jesus quickly responded resisting the temptation, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:22-23). Despite the knowledge of what was to come He was resolved to complete his mission.

The writer of Hebrews said it was “for the joy that was set before Him [He] endured the cross, despising the shame” (12:2). It was not with sadistic glee that He embraced the cross, but His joy was in knowing the benefit that His sacrifice would accomplish. He “endured the cross.” That was the necessary instrument of suffering that brought about redemption from sin and the promise of life. The joy was in the atonement, sinners set free from the bondage of sin. Those who were dead in their trespasses were brought back to life!

When you see the end result the process is palpable. If you want good teeth you must go to the dentist once in a while. If you want to remain healthy sometimes you may require surgery or painful treatment. But if your chances of a better life are increased you may be willing to suffer for the present. Jesus saw the suffering, admitted the violent treatment, conceded that He would die, but added that he would rise again on the third day. The story did not end with the cross or conclude with His passion. There was a simple statement of victory; He will be raised again on the third day!

Endure the cross; abide the suffering, a better day is ahead. The promise is worth the pain!