In the Apostles Creed, we confess that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried”. All Scripturally true. However, it can lead us to limit Jesus’ suffering simply to His crucifixion and death. As horrific and consequential as those events were, it can give a false impression that Jesus’ suffering was limited to only those two events. However, it would be better to see that all of Jesus’ earthly life was marked by suffering.
Let me illustrate. In preparation for Holy Week, I’ve been reading the account of Jesus’ last night and day as recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew. It is found in chapters 26-27. Here is a list of a few ways that Jesus suffered in just those few hours.
* Sorrowful even unto death prayer in Gethsemane (26:36-46)
* Closest disciples fall asleep on him in his hour of agony (26:40, 43)
* Betrayal by Judas, one of the Twelve (26:47-50)
* Has to rebuke disciple who resorts to violence because he misunderstands the true nature of Jesus’ kingdom (26:51-54)
* Arrested by the mob (26:50)
* Deserted by the disciples, who not a few hours earlier had declared they would never deny him even if it meant their deaths (26:56; cf. 26:35)
* Accused falsely by many false witnesses (26:59-60)
* Accused falsely of blasphemy by the high priest (26:65)
* Spit upon and struck by members of the Council with mocking calls to prophesy who struck him (26:67-68)
* Denied by Peter three times (26:69-75)
* Had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas (who was guilty of his crimes) released instead of himself, who was innocent (27:15-23)
* Scourged by order of Pilate and delivered to be crucified (27:24-26)
* Stripped, mocked (scarlet robe, crown of thorns, “Hail, King of the Jews”), spat upon, and struck by whole battalion of soldiers (27:27-31)
* Offered wine mixed with gall (27:34)
* Crucified (27:35) - notice how briefly and casually it is mentioned
* Derided by those who passed by (27:39-43)
* Reviled by robbers who were crucified with him (27:44)
That’s quite a bit of suffering in less than 24 hours. But it was simply the climax of a life of suffering. A life where his reputation was often attacked, whether regarding his birth or his eating and drinking with “sinners”. A life where his opponents attributed his work not to the Spirit but to the devil. A life where the crowds wanted a nice show and the benefits of His work but not the commitment His kingdom required. A life where even His disciples didn’t seem to get it and often had to be rebuked for their lack of faith. A life where even His family thought He was mentally unwell.
So why a life of suffering? The writer of Hebrews answers this way: For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering…Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject of lifelong slavery…Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (2:10, 14-15, 17-18)
His was a life of suffering so that He might be the perfect savior for you and me. Hallelujah! What a Savior!