When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:23-25

Jesus suffering at his arrest and crucifixion was not only physical, although that was certainly a major part of his pain. Jesus also suffered emotional damage at the hands of those who tortured and killed him.

This is not to be understated; often we think of emotional pain as “only feelings” but those feelings can change how we live. Depression and grief can make us suffer in ways other than tears alone. Rejection can cause that. False accusations, too. Jesus suffered in all these ways just as we do, but he also took on the suffering that was needed to remove our sins from us, which we could never accomplish. Nevertheless, his greater deed did not separate him from the suffering that is common to all. He can sympathize with the worst moments of our lives.

And by his wounds, we are healed.

Ethan Kirl