When I think about my husband’s death, I thank God that Rod didn’t endure ongoing pain. The medications dulled his agony. But he did suffer initially, and we were traumatized as we watched him die. I wonder if Mary experienced shock and anger when she watched her Son being beaten and nailed to the cross.

Rod’s demise was in no way equal to Jesus’ torture and murder. He wasn’t Jesus. Jesus carried the sins of millions of people on His shoulders and knew His fate even before the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew that He would be beaten and betrayed.

As believers, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus loves us so much that He took upon Himself the weight of our sins and forgives them “yesterday and today and forever.” His crown of thorns became our crown of glory.