Cross: The Savior Who Suffered

by Evan Beach on December 8, 2023

During the week of Passover in Jerusalem, there are many things that took place, ultimately leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross.

After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mathew 21:1–11) and more of Jesus’ teaching to the disciples (Matthew 24:1–25:46), Jesus had a Passover meal with his disciples (Matthew 26:26–29). During this evening, Jesus knew what would soon be taking place, and he told the disciples, though they did not understand. He knew that his disciple Judas Iscariot would betray him (John 13:21, 26) and that he was going to be condemned and crucified (Matthew 20:18–19; Mark 10:32–34; Luke 18:31–33).

Do you know?
Could God Forgive Our Sins Without the Suffering of Christ?

After sharing the meal together, Jesus went with his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed three times that he wouldn’t have to endure what was about to happen to him, but for God’s will to be done, even if he had to endure it all (Matthew 26:36–44). Shortly after Jesus prayed, Judas Iscariot led the chief priests, Pharisees, and a large group of soldiers to arrest Jesus (Matthew 26:47–56). Once Jesus was arrested, he was put through a series of trials as the religious leaders tried to condemn Jesus to death (Matthew 26:59, 65–66). Even though the Roman official Pilate (Luke 23:1–5, 13–16) and Herod (Luke 23:6–12) found nothing to make Jesus guilty (Luke 23:13–15), the crowd and religious leaders wanted Jesus to be killed (Luke 23:18–25).

Why is there death and suffering?

Jesus was taken into the palace to be beaten and mocked by soldiers (Matthew 27:27–30) and then led away to the hill Golgotha with a cross on his back (John 19:17), where he endured the agony of crucifixion (John 19:18). Jesus was mocked by the crowd (Matthew 27:39–43), the soldiers (Luke 23:36–37), and even one of the two thieves that were being crucified with him (Luke 23:39).

Even during the horrific circumstances and abuse that Jesus endured, he was still fixed upon doing God’s will and loving others, which he made clear by saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) and “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). After Jesus died, a man named Joseph (from Arimathea) secured permission from Pilate to place Jesus’ body in the tomb (Mark 15:43–46).

Jesus died on the cross.

Even though Jesus died on the cross without doing anything to deserve it, the amazing thing is that he rose again three days later! On the third day after Jesus had been crucified, a group of women (Mary Magdalene, Mary [the mother of James], and Salome) went to Jesus’ tomb (Mark 16:1), but when they arrived, the tomb had been opened, and an angel appeared and spoke to them telling them that Jesus had risen and then instructed them to tell the disciples that he had risen and that they should meet him in Galilee (Matthew 28:5–7). After this, Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples, and he told them:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18–20)
Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over death and sin!

You may have heard this account before, or maybe it’s your first time hearing about Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. No matter if this is your first or fiftieth time hearing about Jesus, it’s important for us to frequently consider Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. His love for us is greater than we can understand!

Consider who Jesus is. Do you know?

Consider who Jesus is . . . the Son of God, who left heaven to come to a world ruined by sin. He gave himself and all that he had, but so few had compassion for him. He never sinned or did anything wrong, but he was put to death on the cross, the most brutal way to be executed, even though he did nothing to deserve it. But remember he didn’t remain dead: Jesus rose again and had victory over death and sin (1 Corinthians 15:56–57)!

Jesus took the punishment that we deserve for our sins.

Consider yourself and your own actions. Romans 3:23 clearly states that “all have sinned.” You might think that things like lying, stealing, or using God’s name inappropriately are just small and insignificant things that everyone does, and they don’t matter, but God says they are sinful (Leviticus 19:11–12), and sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death.” We cannot afford to treat sin lightly, because the consequences are too much! But Romans 6:23 also tells us that “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”! This is why Jesus’ death and resurrection are so important: Jesus took the punishment that we deserve for our sins by dying on the cross, and because he was resurrected, he has the authority over our sins and the ability to save us from the penalty for sin! He paid the price so that we can live with God for eternity in heaven!

How can you be forgiven for your sins and made right with God?

But knowing this information in your head isn’t enough, Romans 10:9 tells us that to be saved you must “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.” And then verse 13 says, “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

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