Completely God, fully man, Jesus’ emotions of grief and suffering connect with ours. He can relate to every single feeling we experience. Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (NIV). Jesus showed us how to walk in God’s will, to submit to God’s plans, and most importantly to suffer well.
I found a great Lent resource with four of my favorite authors. It’s a free e-book download from Devotionals Daily by Max Lucado, Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, and Stormie Omartian.
Here’s an excerpt from Day 3:
Isaiah 53:3, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (NAS).
. . . see that solitary figure? Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth, Eyes wide with a stupor of fear. Hair matted with salty sweat. Is that blood on his forehead?
That’s Jesus. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
We see an agonizing, straining and struggling Jesus. We see a “man of sorrows.” We see a man struggling with fear. Wrestling with commitments, yearning for relief. Seeing God like this does wonders for our own suffering.
Still wonder if Jesus understands you? He sees, knows, hears, comprehends. But best of all, he feels your pain. Let him in; he’s anxious to share your deepest hurts and heal your broken heart. This season, why not intentionally decrease your focus on the grief and sorrow you face. Let His peace be plain as you give him permission to overwhelm you with his presence.
Let’s close by speaking aloud this scriptural prayer from Romans 8:26 (NKJV) over ourselves today: “The Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
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