The Glory of Suffering (Mark 9:2-13)

The honest truth is that the kingdom of God is very difficult for us to grasp.  There are some who believe that Christ is basically teaching us ethical things and that is what we take from the kingdom.  There are others who see Christ as one thoroughly committed to His beliefs even to death.  Are these fair assessments of Christ’s work?  What is the point of Christ’s suffering and our suffering?  What is the outcome of the suffering?  Is it just to suffer to show fulfillment, or is there something beyond the suffering that keeps it all in perspective?