Session 6

Why did Jesus suffer?

From What Happened During Holy Week: An 8-Day Devotional

A tinge of pain comes as we look on Jesus’ suffering. As we read about the thorns pressed into His head, the flesh stripped from His body, and the excruciating way He died, it’s hard not to turn our minds from the scene. 

Hebrews 2:9-10 beautifully reminds us why Jesus suffered as He did: “But we do see Jesus... now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” 

God had a great plan, a plan to create a family. Jesus suffered the penalty for our sins so the glory of God could be revealed. 

We celebrate Easter because of this great love, this great plan. We celebrate Jesus risen. We rejoice knowing His life gives ours meaning, knowing He overcame death, and we will live forever with Him. 

Jesus’ overcoming is also how we celebrate through suffering in our lives. Jesus overcame spiritual and physical death, and He has a plan for our suffering as well. There is glory on the other side. Through our pain, God ministers to others, teaches us to trust Him, reveals Himself to us, and reminds us this world is coming to a close. 

No matter what we’re facing today, we take heart knowing God overcomes and has a great plan for every part of our lives. 

Reflect: 

• Jesus suffered for your sin. Everything He went through we deserved. How does that feel? Will you take a few minutes to respond to the sacrifice He made?
• What’s one way you can listen to God and learn from Him in times of suffering?
• As we celebrate this Easter, do you know anyone who is hurting? What’s one way you can reach out to that person?