Our King Suffers

Suffering can result in blessing. The lowest valleys can lead us to paths that take us to the highest mountaintops. The darkest nights can be followed by the most brilliant dawns. Suffering can bring forth glory. 

What kind of King chooses to suffer for His subjects? What kind of King willingly subjects himself to disgraceful suffering? 

Luke 9:20-23 - Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Why? Why would the King of the universe take on human flesh and willingly embrace suffering? 

1. He Suffered for His Glory

Hebrews 2:9 - But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 

-Everything God does, He does for His glory. He didn’t suffer because He needs us. He chose to suffer for us because HE GETS GLORY THROUGH REDEMPTION. Jesus is glorified in redemption.

Why? His redemption through suffering displays his glorious character 

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty -Exodus 34:6-7

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

The irony of Jesus, suffering bleeding with a crown of thorns on his head, was it was through this sacrificial act of redemption that He was “crowned with glory and honor.” Jesus is crowned with glory and honor because He suffered unto death for us. He suffered for His glory. Glory to His Name. The cross should lead us to worship. 

2. He Suffered for Us 

Hebrews 2:9-15 - so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 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. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 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

Why did He suffer for us? 
-To Deliver us from the Penalty of Sin
-To Destroy the Power of Death
-He tasted death so we do not have to. 
Isaiah 53:5-6 - But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

-To Destroy the Power of Sin in our lives
-To Adopt us into His family - He suffered for us to bring us into His family. 

The extent of the pain someone is willing to endure FOR you, displays the depth of the love someone has TOWARD you.

Many in this room today struggle with feelings of worth. You feel unloved. Like no one cares. Like your life does not matter. I want you to hear this morning - when you look at the cross, the sufferings of the Savior FOR YOU, KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE. 

3. He Suffered Like Us

Hebrews 2:16-18 -. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 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.

-Jesus put on real flesh, he bled real blood. He felt real pain. His humanity makes him a perfect substitute. A perfect Mediator. A perfect High Priest.

Many of you are in the midst of intense suffering
-Some of you are facing cancer
-Some of you are suffering emotionally 
-Some of you are suffering rejection 
-Some of you are suffering loss

We may not know all the reasons why God allows suffering but when we look at the cross we know the reason it cannot be. It cannot be because God does not love us. 
Neither is it true that Jesus does not know the pain you are experiencing. 
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
Your suffering is understood by your Savior. “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Conclusion:
Our King Suffers. He suffered for His glory, He suffered for Us, and He suffered like us. He knows your pain, He knows WORSE PAIN and he willingly took it on His shoulders to have a relationship with you. And invites you into a relationship with Him. Draw near to Him this morning, near to the throne of Grace and find grace to help in time of need.  

Pastor’s Challenge:
-Remember you are loved when you see the suffering of Christ
-Draw near to Jesus in the midst of your suffering
-Be prepared to suffer for Christ