How did God use Jesus’ suffering?
Part One
“Although he (Jesus) was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest.” Hebrews 5:7-9
I read the most amazing sermon on Desiringgod.org by John Piper titled, “The suffering of Christ and the sovereignty of God”. He lists 7 ways God displays His glory through Christ’s suffering. Here’s part one:
1.Christ absorbed the wrath of God—and He did it by suffering.
Gal. 3:13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’”
1 Thess. 1:10, “…whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
2. Christ bore our sins and purchased our forgiveness—and He did it by suffering.
1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.”
Isaiah 53:5, “He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities.”
3. Christ provided a perfect righteousness for us that becomes ours in Him—and He did it by suffering.
Phil. 2: 6-8, “He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
4.Christ defeated death—and He did by suffering.
Hebrews 2:14-15, ““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 to lifelong slavery.”
1 Corinthians 15:55-57, “‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”
Which of the four accomplishments by Jesus through suffering speaks most to you? What are your thoughts on suffering?
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