Why did Jesus suffer so much? Because, in the words of Isaiah, "we like sheep have gone astray, we have all turned to our own way. And so, the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all... By his wounds we are healed." He is totally innocent, totally undeserving of the afflictions he has undergone. But such is God's love for us that he gave his only Son to suffer and die. It is both a testimony of the extent of that love and the only way adequate reparation could be done for the enormity and multiplicity of our sinfulness. Jesus is our Redeemer, the one who has bought us back and paved the way for our reconciliation with God His Father. Let us look at the crucifix today and express our deepest gratitude to God for sending Jesus to suffer in this way for us.

Even though he was the Son, he accepted what was the will of his Father who wanted him to go through this suffering as the ultimate sign of God's love for each one of us. And thus he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.