Final answer:
The care for understanding how to suffer for Christ centers on the notion of Christ's humanity and the importance of his suffering in Christian devotion, especially during the later Middle Ages. New religious orders like the Franciscans helped promote this understanding of a more relatable, suffering Christ, contrasting with earlier depictions that emphasized his divinity over his humanity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Who really cared that we know how to suffer for Christ?' refers to the emphasis on Jesus Christ's suffering and its importance within Christian devotion and theology, particularly during the later Middle Ages. The development of Christ's depiction from a divine and untouchable figure to one who suffered as humans do was significant during this time. This evolution is evident in the spread of new devotional styles through the Franciscans and other religious orders, which highlighted the humanity of Christ and his capacity to understand human suffering, as exemplified by artistic representations like the Röttgen Pietà.
Contrasting views existed, with some medieval thinkers continuing to emphasize the divinity of Christ and downplaying his human suffering, as suggested by Nancy's observation of the depiction of Christ. However, several preachers and writers discussed a more patient Christ, offering an image of someone who endured pain and suffering similar to that of humans. The Passion of Christ, his sacrificial death on the cross, is central to Christian belief and is commemorated annually during Holy Week.
Understanding the significance of Christ's suffering raises broader theological discussions, including the Problem of Suffering versus the Problem of Evil, and how the existence of an omnibenevolent and omnipotent God aligns with the presence of suffering in the world. This debate connects to the broader attempt to understand human suffering in the context of divine love and mercy.