MAN OF SORROWS
Text: Isaiah 53
This amazing passage of scripture was written some 700 years before Christ. Yet it captures more so than any other scripture the reason why Jesus came and why he died on the cross. The details that the prophet gives concerning the pain and suffering of Jesus could have only come from God. This is one of my favorite chapters in all the Bible and as I have read it over the years it never ceases to touch my heart. I have always come away after reading it thinking that if one did not know when the prophet Isaiah wrote the book one might believe that he was actually there at the cross where Christ died.
There are many names, titles and words in the word of God used to describe Jesus. We all know those which are used most often such as Son of God, Son of Man, Christ, King of kings, King of Israel etc….but only Isaiah uses the words “Man of Sorrows” to describe Jesus. As we continue to read this prophetic chapter and then look into the gospels we see why the words were used by the prophet. Jesus was a Man of Sorrows.
NOTICE HE KNEW THE SORROWS OF SCORN
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised , and we esteemed him not.
I once worked with a Vietnam veteran back in the early eighties. Not to many veterans of that war are willing to talk about it but Marvin did. He shared some details about what he experienced but he said nothing prepared him for what happened when he got home. The plane that he arrived on like many others were greeted by protestors. Relationships that he had prior to being in the war were different. He felt as though he had done something wrong when he was only doing his job. In 2003 research specialists learned that the brain reacts to the pain of rejection in the same way as it does with intense physical pain. Rejection is one of the most painful experiences that a person can go through. To have those who should believe in us and support us hurts deeply. Most of us know this pain. Yet the rejection we experience pales in comparison to that which Jesus, the man of sorrows, had to deal with.
He was scorned by his family. John 7:5 For even his own brothers did not believe….
He was scorned by his friends. John 1:11 He came unto his own but they received him not.
He was scorned by his followers. John 6:64 Yet there are many of you who do not believe
He was scorned by his foes. In many passages in the New Testament we read of his foes mocking him and ridiculing him……especially at the cross.
Isaiah wrote….we hid our faces from him. Are we hiding our faces from him today ? Rejecting him still ?
Feel The Nails by Ray Boltz
They tell me Jesus died for my transgressions….That he paid that price a long, long time ago
When he gave his life for me….On a hill called Calvary….But there’s something else I want to know
Does he still feel the nails everytime I fail ? Can he hear the crowd cry “Crucify” again ?
Am I causing him pain….then I’ve got to change….I just can’t bear the thought of hurting him.
It seems that I’m so good at breaking promises. And I treat his precious grace so carelessly.
But each time he forgives …what if he re-lives the agony he felt on that tree ?
NOTICE HE KNEW THE SORROWS OF SUFFERING Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
Jesus was acquainted with grief. The word “grief” here is often translated as sickness or disease but also anxiety, affliction, evil, calamity.
God the Father inspired Isaiah the prophet to record the words. Though Jesus was God…he was also a man and as a man suffered more than any other human who ever lived.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
He was subjected to all the kinds of trial to which we can be, and he is, therefore, able to sympathize with us and to aid us. He was tempted - in the literal sense; he was persecuted; he was poor; he was despised; he suffered physical pain; he endured the sorrows of a lingering and most cruel death (Albert Barnes)
Jesus Was Acquainted With Desire
Though he was God….as a man he suffered the natural needs of mankind. He hungered. He became thirsty.
He had a need for a place to stay.
Jesus Was Acquainted With Disease
Jesus not only observed the sufferings of humanity but he experienced it personally. Imagine God in the flesh with a headache…stomach pain…..a fever. How else would the Son of God be able to help us during our times of suffering.
Jesus Was Acquainted With Depression
He shed tears as he looked over the inhabitants of Jerusalem…..and at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. In the final hours leading up to the cross….his heart became heavy and his soul exceedingly sorrowful.
Jesus Was Acquainted With Deception
He was tempted at almost every point and turn in his life and yet he never game into those temptations.
He was tested in practically every manner possible but never became angry with his Father.
From the pinnacle of the temple to the terrors of the cross he was faithful.
Because of the temptation and trials that he endured and all came he is able to come to our aid.
HE KNEW THE SORROWS OF SIN
He never committed one act of sin but suffered more than any for sin. How ? For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
He Became Sin
He Became The Sacrifice For Our Sins. he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief : when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied : by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities
Wow….what an amazing God………what unconditional love. The Sovereign God was pleased to bruise him…..oh how he loves you and me.
He became separated for our sins.
Sin separates from God. he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb , so he openeth not his mouth
God chose not to answer the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane…..Jesus said not my will but thy will be done. Perhaps the greatest sorrow for the man of sorrows is found in this question from the cross asked by Jesus My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
God turned his back on Jesus so he wouldn’t have to turn his back on us
He became the substitute for our sins.
Jesus stepped down……then he stepped in. He took our price.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death
Jesus died in our place. He paid the price for our sin because the wages of sin is death.
Thank God….the Man of Sorrow overcame all his sorrows. He did not remain in the grave !
he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead so that we might have eternal life.
The price has been paid…..soon the invitation will be made. Consider what God through his son has done for you.
