This is Part 3 of 6 parts answering the question, “Who Is The One Person Who Should Have Escaped the Suffering God Allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” parts 4-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

Jesus Suffered According to the Father’s Will

But why did Jesus suffer if He never inherited the penalty of Adam’s sin or a sin nature, like the rest of the human race, and He Himself never sinned? Mark Bailey records fifteen reasons why Jesus suffered,

1. To obey the will of the father (John 17:4)
2. To satisfy the just demands of a holy God against sin (Matt. 27:46; John 3:14)
3. To pay the ransom to set sinners free from sin and death (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45)
4. To free people from the slavery of sin (John 8:32–34)
5. To establish an eternal covenant through his shed blood by which forgiveness and redemption were accomplished (Matt.26:28)
6. To show the supreme depth of God’s love for sinners (Matt. 20:28; John 3:16; 15:13)
7. To make provision for the forgiveness of sins (Matt.26:28)
8. To provide the means for ultimate healing (Matt. 8:16 – 17; Luke 6:19)
9. To give eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16; 3:36; 17:13)
10. To deliver from the Evil One (John 12:31; 17:15)
11. To grant access to the Father (Matt. 27:51)
12. To enlist a band of faithful followers who would identify daily with Jesus whether by life or by death (Matt. 10:38; Luke 9:23)
13. To proclaim the message of salvation to all nations (Matt. 28:19–20; Luke 24:46–47; John 1:29)
14. To gather together believers from among Jews and Gentiles to be in a unified flock under one Shepherd (John 10:16; 11:51–52)
15. To deliver from the coming wrath of God (Matt. 3:7)²

This is a great list which begins to record reasons for Jesus’ suffering during his incarnation on earth. Ultimately, He suffered to save sinners by satisfying the holiness of God. We rejoice that He was willing to endure the worst for us.

Part 4 will be posted tomorrow.