Jesus' Suffering & Ours... It MUST be this way

Jesus says these things (his suffering many things) "must" happen because the
redemption of humanity depended on it. God's fail-safe plan was to redeem a people for himself and Jesus' death was essential for the accomplishment of that
plan. It is sometimes said that if there had been another way for God to redeem us, he would have used it. If he could have spared His Son from judgment he
would have. Scripture confirms this to be true. In Hebrews 2:17 we read "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that
he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people." It was necessary
for our forgiveness that Jesus be killed and resurrected. That Jesus says these things "must" happen reminds us that he came to deal with our central problem ---sin.    --Jeff White


RP: How interesting... Here I see Jesus saying to His disciples... it MUST be this way.  Just a few months later His Dad will say to him--"Son, there is no other way... it MUST be this way."--and how often is the role of the friend, the spouse, the parent to say to the ones we love and are called to encourage....
"It has to be this way.  The road of suffering, though repulsive and painful, is the road to life.  Jesus walked it and so must we.  Yes, His was the only sin-bearing walk on that road... but we walk that road nonetheless... and it hurts--Man! does it hurt! ... and it leads to glory."