As believers we know that Jesus died for our sins, but do we truly comprehend what that entails? The movie, The Passion of the Christ, is considered a bloody and violent movie. However, it was quite factual when compared to the retelling of Jesus’ last days as noted in the Bible and in historical records. The real crucifixion might have even been much worse than was portrayed on the screen. Jesus endured scourging, experiencing great pain and suffering, and His body was devastated (see Matthew 27:26). He then had to drag His wooden cross to the site of His crucifixion in a weakened and broken body. When Jesus could no longer carry the burden, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry the cross for Him (see Luke 23:26). Almost 800 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah predicted the torment Jesus would receive as recorded in Isaiah 53:5 (NIV), “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Why? Why did God allow this, and why would Jesus endure it? Because He loves you. Jesus took the punishment for our sins so that we may be forgiven. He endured the cross so that we might have life. This Easter weekend, think about the depth of His suffering—it was all for you. Remember the words of an old hymn and now a current worship song: “Amazing love, how can it be? That You, my King, would die for me.”