The Works of God

On the cross Jesus stands in the place of his people by undergoing the suffering they as sinners deserve, and then in the resurrection manifesting the exaltation that he as the righteous sufferer deserves. The words of Jesus must impact the way we view suffering.  Suffering – the suffering on the cross (and resurrection) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – is the most important event in human history.  God does not exempt himself from suffering but enters into it fully in the person of his Son.  And, mysteriously, the suffering of God incarnate accomplishes our salvation!  As a result, it is no wonder that our worship as the people of God is consumed with Jesus’ suffering and vindication. We worship the crucified and risen One. How can we, as his beloved people, saved by his suffering, refuse to drink when he offers us the cup of suffering?

Dan G. McCartney, “Suffering and the Goodness of God in the Gospels” in Suffering and the Goodness of God, edited by Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson, p. 93.