Jesus' Suffering, Death, and Resurrection

In Kenneth R. Overberg’s article “The Mystery of Suffering: How Should I Respond”, Overberg identifies three important points about Jesus and suffering. Many times, people associate suffering with punishment and think of it as God’s punishment for those who have sinned. From the Gospels, however, we see that Jesus rejected suffering and rejected the notion that suffering is a punishment for sin. In several Gospel stories, we see Jesus alleviating pain and healing the blind and the sick. During his time on earth, Jesus tried to eliminate suffering, not inflict it onto others. Jesus also trusted God and looked to him during times when He himself suffered. Even when he faced crucifixion, Jesus remained faithful to God’s plan for him and trusted that God would heal him in heaven. He even asked God to forgive those who put him to death, out of love for God’s people. The article also explains several tradition interpretations of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. St. Anselm’s 12th century interpretation depicts Jesus’ death as payment for humanity’s infinite debt (because of sin). God is depicted as angry and bloodthirsty. The image of God is very different from the one Jesus expressed in his teachings. The alternative interpretation holds that the purpose of creation is for the Incarnation. God is not pictured as vindictive or demanding, but rather gracious and sharing love in creation. I personally prefer the second interpretation. I have never pictured God as frightening or angry, and I feel that my relationship with God would not be as strong if I did view Him with fear. I have always believed that Jesus suffered and died on the cross because God loved us so deeply and because it was God’s plan to save the world from sin; I have never thought of Jesus’ suffering as punishment for the sins of mankind.