A paixão de Cristo: o significado do sofrimento e da cruz
O que é a paixão de Cristo
A paixão de Cristo se refere aos sofrimentos, ao julgamento e à morte de Jesus em Jerusalém, desde a agonia no Getsêmani até a sua crucificação no Calvário. O termo vem do latim passio, que significa sofrimento ou padecimento, e resume a entrega deliberada de Jesus para reconciliar a humanidade com Deus.
Jesus já havia antecipado aos discípulos que iria a Jerusalém para sofrer e morrer, encarando a cruz não como um acidente de percurso, mas como parte central da sua missão.
From that time Jesus began to point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day.(Matthew 16:21)
Na noite em que foi preso, o peso do que estava por vir se manifestou em angústia profunda durante a sua oração no jardim do Getsêmani.
Then He *said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."(Matthew 26:38)
O julgamento e a submissão à cruz
Após a prisão, Jesus foi levado perante as autoridades religiosas e romanas. O processo foi marcado por contradições e acusações que não se sustentavam, pois o objetivo já era a condenação à morte.
Now the chief priests and the entire Council were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any.(Mark 14:55)
Mesmo diante da injustiça e da humilhação pública, Jesus não recorreu à força nem recuou: submeteu-se em obediência ao Pai até a morte mais infame da época, a crucificação.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.(Philippians 2:8)
A entrega voluntária de Jesus
A Bíblia enfatiza que a morte de Jesus não foi fruto do acaso nem da vontade exclusiva de seus algozes. Ninguém tirou a vida de Cristo contra a sua vontade; Ele a entregou de modo consciente e soberano.
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it back.No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father."(John 10:17,18)
Esse gesto expressa a própria razão do seu ministério terreno: servir e pagar o preço do resgate por muitos.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."(Mark 10:45)
O significado do sacrifício na cruz
O sofrimento de Jesus teve caráter substitutivo. Séculos antes dos acontecimentos no Calvário, o profeta Isaías descreveu o Messias como aquele que carregaria as dores e as culpas do povo sobre si para restabelecer a paz com Deus.
He was despised and abandoned by men,
A man of great pain and familiar with sickness;
And like one from whom people hide their faces,
He was despised, and we had no regard for Him.
However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore,
And our pains that He carried;
Yet we ourselves assumed that He had been afflicted,
Struck down by God, and humiliated.
But He was pierced for our offenses,
He was crushed for our wrongdoings;
The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him,
And by His wounds we are healed.(Isaiah 53:3-5)
O Novo Testamento retoma essa profecia ao explicar que Cristo suportou os pecados da humanidade em seu próprio corpo, deixando também um padrão de paciência e integridade em meio à dor.
For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed.(1 Peter 2:21-24)
A cruz é a prova concreta do amor divino, oferecido quando a humanidade ainda não tinha condições de se aproximar de Deus por mérito próprio.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(Romans 5:8)
Ao passar pela morte e vencê-la, Jesus desarmou o poder da morte e libertou aqueles que viviam aprisionados pelo medo do fim.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.(Hebrews 2:14,15)
Este artigo te tocou? Faça uma oração!
+581 estão orando agora.
Junte-se à corrente de oração.