For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Pet. 3:18)

CHRIS TOMLIN, an internationally known praise and worship songwriter and singer, offers the opinion in his song “Here I Am to Worship” that we can never know how much Christ suffered for our sins. He is right. None of us can fathom what it must have felt like to take on the sins of the world—not just those of first-century sinners, but every sin for as long as time remains. How excruciating it must have been for Jesus to experience the nails that tore His muscles and the pressure that collapsed His lungs.

The good news is that Jesus’ death on the cross accomplished our redemption. By His resurrection, He conquered sin and death. Jesus died and rose again to provide salvation for all who would believe in Him. That thought makes your flesh tingle, doesn’t it?

Whatever we suffer on this earth, it cannot compare to what Christ has already endured. He has already carried a heavier burden than the one we must bear. Take comfort in that. This world is temporary, and soon we will join the throngs of heavenly hosts in singing, “Holy, holy, holy” forever.

Celebrate the fact that Jesus loved you enough to suffer for your sin.

Julie B. Cosgrove is a widowed Christian author and speaker who lives in Fort Worth, Texas. She is involved with women’s and outreach ministries.