THE SUFFERING

John 19:3 and they began to come up to Him and say, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and to give Him slaps in the face. [30] They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to BEAT Him on the head. [31] After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
DEVOTE:
Jesus said, "It was NECESSARY for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" (Luke 24:26)
Why was it necessary for Christ to suffer?
Hebrews 2:10 tells us, “For it was FITTING for God … in bringing many sons to glory, to PERFECT the author of their salvation through sufferings”, and Isaiah 53:10 says, “But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering...”
So, Christ had to suffer as a guilt offering because:
1. It pleased the Father (Is 53:10)
2. It brought many sons to glory (Heb 2:10), and
3. It was patterned for you and I (1 Peter 2:21)
Hebrews 5:8 says, “Although He was a Son, He learned OBEDIENCE from the things which He suffered.” Suffering is like the chisel of a master sculptor being driven into a block of granite. Whereas others see “rough edges”, He sees the polished masterpiece! (Eph 2:10 and Phil 1:6)
Philippians 1:29 says, “For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake”, because “You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)
Suffering develops the meekness of OBEDIENCE. Suffering chips away at the alabaster jar of our hearts until the fragrance of (and for) Christ is released.
PRAY:
Father, I’ve got some “rough edges”; I yield to Your masterful hands in bringing me through to full, mature obedience.