The gospel accounts describe the terrible suffering of Jesus, the Christ. During His trial and crucifixion, Jesus was put through immeasurable amounts of pain to provide forgiveness for all the world. Consider what is written in Mark:
Mark 14:65
“Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, ‘Prophesy!’ And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.”
Mark 15:15-19
“…after having Jesus scourged, [Pilate] handed Him over to be crucified. The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort. They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and they began to acclaim Him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him.”
Jesus’ suffering was not justly dealt to Him. He did not deserve any of this, yet he chose to endure it for our sakes because He trusted in God the Father. Consider what He said through Isaiah:
Isaiah 50:5-6
“The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient nor did I turn back. I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.”
Perhaps you are suffering today because of your choice to obey God. Jesus knows that suffering. Do not cease from your faithfulness now! Instead, persist as the Messiah persisted for you. Even in His suffering, He was not disgraced but set His face like flint to continue in the will of God the Father (Isaiah 50:7). Continue as Jesus did, and you will be rewarded beyond all measure (Romans 8:18).
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