According to John 3:16–17, God sent His Son into the world on a mission of rescue: Jesus came to save us! He had to die as a result. Because even the Son of Man came to serve, not to be served, and to give His life as a ransom for many people, according to Mark 10:45.
Jesus knew He had to suffer
Jesus made it plain that He would suffer (Mark 8:31; 9:12; 9:31; 10:33–34), and in Mark 8:32–33, He used forceful language to challenge those who disagreed with Him. The Son of God’s death should not have come as a surprise because, according to Luke 24:25–27, several prophets had foretold it for millennia before to Jesus’ birth! The Bible’s very first pages, found in Genesis 3:15, hint at Jesus’ suffering when the prophet Moses records God’s promise of a Savior who would destroy the devil via suffering.
Later prophesies provide further information. For example, a thousand years before Jesus’ crucifixion actually occurred, King David properly predicted Jesus’ death and predicted that this would result in future generations hearing the good news and worshiping God in righteousness (Psalm 22). The Messiah was called “a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 53:3). It was the will of the LORD to crush Him, cause Him to suffer, and then restore Him to life so that many people could be pardoned, according to Isaiah 53:4-6, which explains why He had to die in our place for our sins.
Like the prophets, Jesus recognized the significance of His suffering. This is how he summed up the Old Testament’s message:
According to Luke 24:46–47, “This is what is written: repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” The Christ will suffer and rise from the grave on the third day.
Jesus rose from the dead
After Jesus had convinced His followers that He really had risen from the dead (Luke 24:37-43; Acts 1:3), He sent them out to proclaim this good news to all the nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The Apostles shared the same understanding of Jesus’ suffering as Jesus and the Old Testament prophets (Acts 2:29-32; 3:18). They testified that Jesus was the suffering “Christ” / “Messiah” foretold by all the prophets (Acts 17:2-3). He suffered so that our sins could be forgiven (Hebrews 9:26-28); He suffered so that we too could rise again, victorious over death and the devil (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Hebrews 2:14-15); and He suffered so that these blessings could be enjoyed by people from all around the world (Acts 26:22-23)! Moreover, when the early Christians were persecuted for sharing this good news, they were encouraged by one more reason for Jesus’ suffering: Jesus suffered as an example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21).
Suffering as a Christian
If you are suffering as a Christian, rejoice (1 Peter 4:16)! Because Jesus has already suffered the full punishment for your sins in your place (1 Peter 2:24), a great reward is waiting for you in heaven (Luke 6:22-23)! But remember that Jesus is not only your Savior; He is also your role model. Let His life encourage you that He understands what you are going through (Hebrews 2:18); let His death inspire you to honor God in your own suffering (1 Peter 2:23; 4:1); and let His resurrection thrill you with the certain hope of a glorious future (1 Peter 1:3). Don’t be surprised by your suffering (1 Peter 4:12), for the pattern of a genuine Christian life (Hebrews 2:10-11; 1 Peter 4:13; 5:1; Revelation 1:9), like the pattern of Jesus’ life (Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 1:11) is suffering first, glory later (Romans 8:17-18; Philippians 3:10-11; Hebrews 13:12-14).
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me,” declared Jesus. Because the one who seeks to keep his life will lose it, but the one who loses it for the sake of Me and the gospel will find it restored. If a man gains the entire world, but loses his soul, what good is that? Alternatively, what would a man give for his soul? When the Son of Man returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels, He will make that person feel embarrassed of them, if there is anyone in this adulterous and wicked generation who is ashamed of Me and My words (Mark 8:34–38).
