Dear friends,
In a week+s time we will be celebrating the Holy Week. Familiar scenes that we can see in television, and even re-enactments are all about the passion of the Christ — his sufferings and crucifixion.
Jesus actually told His disciples that he will certainly suffer: ĢƵThe Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to lifeĢƵ (Luke 9:22)
We can notice in this verse the word “must.” It was a certainty that He must suffer. Let me share 6 things why Jesus must SUFFER?
S – Show GodĢƵs love for sinners
ĢƵGod shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for usĢƵ (Romans 5:8).
U ĢƵ Unite all people
Jesus ĢƵhas broken down, the dividing wall of hostilityĢƵmaking peaceĢƵthrough the crossĢƵ (Ephesians 2:14-16).
F ĢƵ Fulfillment of prophecies
Here is a prophecy that took a thousand years to fulfill.
Isaiah prophesied JesusĢƵ suffering: ĢƵHe was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healedĢƵ (Isaiah 53:3, 5).
F ĢƵ Final sacrifice
The Old Testament says that ĢƵIt is the blood that makes atonement for oneĢƵs life.” Hebrews 9:22 affirms that “without the shedding of the blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Jesus had to suffer and die He is ĢƵthe Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!ĢƵ (John 1:29).
E ĢƵ Eternal security
Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane — ĢƵFather, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be doneĢƵ (Luke 22:42). The cup of suffering was drank by Jesus. Jesus did it for our eternal security.
R – Reconcile us back to God
Jesus removed the barrier between God and people. We are now reconciled back to God through Jesus — ĢƵWhile we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his SonĢƵ (Romans 5:10).
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Acting Director
Office of Communications
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