How do we know Christ's suffering was real and significant?

The reality of Christ's suffering is affirmed in His cry of forsakenness, which is not merely an expression of human experience, but a deep reflection of the atonement for our sins. As He faced the cross, the divine presence was momentarily eclipsed from Him, causing Him to feel the weight of separation from God, which is a unique suffering inherent to His role as our substitute. His awareness and depth of grief manifest that His experience was more than just physical torment; it was a profound spiritual suffering intended to atone for the sins of humanity.

Moreover, the nature of His suffering is significant because it fulfills the prophetic scriptures and highlights the gravity of sin. The weight of abandonment He felt was a part of the necessary experience of His sacrificial role as the Mediator, which gives a clearer understanding of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. This moment reveals that reconciliation with God comes at a great cost and underscores the immense love demonstrated by Christ in taking on the penalty for our transgressions.