Jesus experienced emotional pain when present in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was devastated by the thought of trial and death; he overcame this emotion by using the power of prayer. As Crucifixion grew on him “Father” he prayed, “my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want.” Mk 14:36-37. Such quotes remind us that Jesus was human
Unlike some, Jesus did not try to escape death, but accepted it gracefully. It was like he was portraying a message. He died for his beliefs; moreover, he accepted death as a way of life. For Christians today, the suffering of Jesus can, and is used for encouragement, to show that we do not have to suffer on our own.
Even though Christians, today, are not being thrown to the lions or crucified like Jesus, they do suffer in many ways; diseases, illnesses or starvation, Christians can share in some pain that Christ felt, thus gaining strength from it. Christians believe that death is not the end but the beginning of a new eternal life, therefore a life after death. They believe that a deceased persons body might rot away in a grave or be cremated into ashes, but their personality lives on, somehow, raised to life by God in another place that is really impossible to imagine. The story of Jesus rising again helps to give them confidence in this hope.
Although it is part of God’s plan for Jesus to suffer, that will not be the end of the story. Jesus will rise from death and as far as we know nobody at the time of Jesus expected him to die – let alone rise again. Christians believe that the Resurrection of Jesus is relevant to them. Human Beings sin, because of sin they deserve to go to Hell. Jesus broke the power of sin and Hell by his death on the cross. He took on himself the punishment for sin. He was not only crucified; as the Apostles Creed states, ‘He descended to the dead’. His power and goodness were such that death could not hold him. He broke the power of sin and death.
To Christians the Resurrection is not just something that happened to someone a long time ago, it is a sign of the power of Jesus, even over death. Christians believe that Jesus made it possible to have life after death, in Heaven, Hell and Purgatory. However, there is the argument that, ‘If God forgives, why does Hell exist?’
The answer is simple; those who die are judged, on the outcome of that judgement depends on a person’s response to his teachings and the way a person responds to those in need. (Matthew) Therefore, we die in the love of God and we are able to share our new life with God and the saint’s in Heaven.
In conclusion, the most important role for Jesus, as a saviour is to save humankind, from suffering, sin and death.
The reason behind Jesus’ death is beneficial towards Christian faith and by allowing us to shed the burden of our sins and by rising from death. He rewarded us with Eternal Life, giving us the chance to be joined by God in Heaven.
If we have sinned, Purgatory is a state of purification. It is less where the departed pay for sin through suffering than where they are prepared to enter the visible presence of God and the Saints. People who have died in a state of grace, but with imperfections, are in Purgatory after they die, until they are ready to move on to be with God.
All Christians look forward to life in the Kingdom, when they will be with God, and sin, death and pain will no longer exist.