SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 53:3-4 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
DEVOTION
We live in a world filled with injustice, lawlessness and suffering. Pain is unavoidable and discomfort is inevitable. With bad news everywhere, what hope can we cling onto as Christians?
Today I would like to focus on a particular aspect of the life Jesus lived on earth that I resonate with: He is acquainted with our grief through sharing a song and going through some of its lyrics. It is ‘Son of Suffering’ by Bethel Music.
Oh the perfect Son of God
In all His innocence
Here walking in the dirt with you and me
He knows what living is
He’s acquainted with our grief
A man of sorrows, Son of suffering
It is very compelling to know that in contrast to the kind of self-pity we have for ourselves that we sometimes call sorrow, Jesus never felt sorry for Himself. Even though He suffered, the sorrow He carried was for humankind: a fallen race that was spiritually bankrupt and separated from God.
Jesus is perfect and did not sin. Even though He was innocent, He endured the cross instead of reviling against those who wanted Him crucified.
1 Peter 2:22-23 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
How unfair would that be? He did not deserve such a punishment, yet He was killed in the place of sinners?
Why did He do that?
#1: It is essential for our salvation.
#2: He loves us.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What truth can you cling to today about Jesus, the man of sorrows?
- Jesus’ sorrow was for me and my separation from God. He cares so deeply that I am reconciled to God.
- Jesus took on the greatest suffering for me, so that I would never have to endure it.
- There is a joy ahead for me – being with Jesus forever! This is what His suffering bought for me.
- OTHER
PRAYER
Dear Jesus,
The amount of love You have for me is immeasurable, I can hardly comprehend it. We fall short and sin so often there is no way we could have earned our salvation through anything we have done. Even so, You endured the cross with joy, knowing that we would be reconciled forever.
Thank you so much for suffering for my sake, even before I knew its significance.
I am so grateful for You, my Jesus.
In Your precious Name, I pray, amen.
PRAYER POINTERS
Pray for the salvation of a loved one today. Pray that they would come to know the immeasurable yet knowable love of Jesus, that He endured suffering for their sake.
