What was the part suffering played in the Atonement

[Prince_Hal]

Just wondering and the answer may be really simple and steering me in the face. Why was suffering necessary in the Atonement performed by Jesus ?

I know that the terrible agonies that our Saviour went through are certainly symbolic of the atrociousness of our sins, but is there more of a link. For example (and apologies I do not mean to trivialise this subject - I do treat it with holiness), but was 2 watts of pain required per sin of a certain category and 5 watts for a greater sin ? There Christ had to suffer x watts of suffering to fully atone.

Okay I am already seeing the poorness of this analogy. But what was it that paid for our sins that they could be wiped clean ? We say God’s mercy. But why the suffering ?

Can anyone help in answering a very badly formed question ?

God bless you.

Hal.

 

[StCsDavid]

Well the simple answer is because God chose to do it that way. He certainly didn’t have to. He could have simply willed whatever outcome he desired and forgone the suffering.

Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2: 5-11

While we cannot psychoanalyze God, we can recognize His suffering as a supreme act of love for us.

​

 

[Nicholas_II]

Christs suffering was both spiritual and physical. As are ours.

Heb 4 v15 For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Christ shed his blood for us to fulfill the Old Testament sacrifices,

Hebrews again:

Chapter 9 try reading it in context but here Christ is compared to the old testament sacrifices.

“This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. 23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these."

Christ suffered death, because in death his obedient humanity was perfected, reversing the first Adam’s sin. He died for us, suffering the penalty for our sins (death) and yet he was without sin.

 

[Nita]

Just wondering and the answer may be really simple and steering me in the face. Why was suffering necessary in the Atonement performed by Jesus ?

I know that the terrible agonies that our Saviour went through are certainly symbolic of the atrociousness of our sins, but is there more of a link. For example (and apologies I do not mean to trivialise this subject - I do treat it with holiness), but was 2 watts of pain required per sin of a certain category and 5 watts for a greater sin ? There Christ had to suffer x watts of suffering to fully atone.

Okay I am already seeing the poorness of this analogy. But what was it that paid for our sins that they could be wiped clean ? We say God’s mercy. But why the suffering ?

Can anyone help in answering a very badly formed question ?

God bless you.

Hal.

I think you conveyed well the meaning of your question by using the “watt” analogy. What you are speaking of is the very legalistic sense of justice and atonement which some Christians hold to. It is not the Catholic position.

I’m short on time so will just give a brief idea of the difference.

Legalistic focuses on the amount of punishment due for each sin - with Jesus suffering the total amount of pain due for all our sins.

**Catholic **focuses on the guilt incurred by sin - the offense to God - and says Jesus atones for our guilt. Because of the hypostatic union with the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus offering has infinite value. You might say it is not the amount of pain that was born, but Who it was that bore the pain that determines the sufficiency.

Hope this helps.

 

[Prince_Hal]

Thank you everyone for your replies. This is helping me a great deal.

God bless,

Hal.