An Excellent Question
In the teenage class we’re finishing up a study book called “The Life of Christ” by Olen Holderby. At the end of the book there are two review sections that go back over all the previous lessons with highlight questions. We started the first section yesterday and there was one question in particular that I thought was an excellent question; I’d love to hear what the fellows, or any other reader, would give as an answer.
Question: Other than his death on the Cross, what do you think was the greatest suffering of Jesus?
There are no right or wrong answers – just answers. So what’s your answer to this excellent and thought provoking question?
Sandra Moore 6:49 am on August 13, 2012 Permalink |
I think it must have been the fact that the people that he had created rejected him.
Eugene Adkins 6:17 am on August 14, 2012 Permalink |
I agree. I think rejection would be right at the top of the list. Just think of what He did while looking over the city of Jerusalem before His death. I think that says a lot.
Thanks for replying, Sandra.
doug post 7:25 am on August 13, 2012 Permalink |
Not sure if you are including the scourging and beating with the cross, but if not, I would add that. Being human, He did experience emotional trauma when His family and friends rejected Him. What human wouldn’t? Perhaps also the emotional shock of His disciples and others not understanding His teaching, especially “simple” teaching. Folks love to say that Jesus kept things simple, especially with illustrations and parables, yet there were many who walked away not being “fulfilled” as some today declare.
Eugene Adkins 6:20 am on August 14, 2012 Permalink |
I think the phrase “death on the cross” is meant to include the scourging. I think the rejection of His family is a good answer; especially when you think about how brothers challenged Him to show himself while they knew that they there were people who were trying to kill Him. Jesus’ lessons were clear enough for people to want to kill Him because they understood who He was saying He was.
Thanks for replying, Doug.
Don Ruhl 10:48 am on August 13, 2012 Permalink |
Wow, that is a difficult question to answer. His beatings and the scourging were certainly horrific. I Sandra Moore touches upon something significant, which I have always thought about when I read John 1.10, 11, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” That must have made Him a man of sorrows, who was acquainted with grief, as Isaiah foretold.
Eugene Adkins 6:22 am on August 14, 2012 Permalink |
It is a toughy ain’t it? I thought about the Isaiah scripture too. I believe there’s more to it than the cross. I think rejection is a good answer – it’s what I thought of. I also thought of witnessing pain would be John. For example, at Lazarus’ grave in John 11. It hurt Jesus to see others He loved hurting.
Thanks for replying, Don.
John Henson 2:38 pm on August 16, 2012 Permalink |
All of those things were horrendous, but it was “Why hast thou forsaken me,” that brought the Christ to speak.