suffering

Proverbs 27, Matthew 27, 1 Corinthians 9, 1 Corinthians 10

 

Matthew 27:26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.   27 Some of the governor's soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, "Hail! King of the Jews!" 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

 

Why was that necessary?  Wasn't it enough that Jesus (i.e., the Creator) came to earth as a human (i.e., the creation), lived a perfect life, and died for our sins?  Why did he have to suffer by being mocked and beaten?

 

What does this imply about Christians (i.e., little Christs, adopted Sons and Daughters of God) being persecuted by this world as we obey the will of the Father?

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to die for my sins.  I don't really understand why it was necessary that he was so badly mistreated, but I accept that it was part of your perfect plan that I can not fully understand.  I pray that you will lead me into complete obedience to your will, even if that means I will experience persecution and hatred from the world.  I pray in Jesus' Name.  Amen.