Title: Wounds to Wonder
Introduction:
The prophet Isaiah has so many beautiful insights into the suffering of our Lord and the glory that follows.
Isaiah 53:4-6 KJV "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Bernard of Clairvaux is said to have asked the Lord once in prayer what His greatest unrecorded suffering was. He said that the Lord replied, "I had on My Shoulder, while I bore My Cross on the Way of Sorrows, a grievous Wound, which was more painful than the others, and which is not recorded by men."
There is a prayer that has been prayed by many seeking healing through the years that focuses on this wound of Christ's. It says:
O Loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross, which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my big and little sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the Way of the Cross. Amen.
In another place Isaiah wrote a passage that we often read during the Christmas season:
Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
It was on our Lord's Shoulders that the cross was laid. He carried the weight of the world upon His Shoulders, and I know that He will carry you. He Has Broad Shoulders, and on those shoulders, a key is laid.
Our Shoulders Speak:
Our shoulders speak. Wide muscular shoulders like those in the statue of David speak of strength and virility. Men's suit jackets have shoulder padding added to give us the "V" shape. Wide shoulders communicate power and dominance. Criminals tend to go after those without the "V" shape. The soldiers guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier have good posture. No slouching. They walk back and forth with their chests out and their shoulders straight to communicate that they are on duty. They are protecting and guarding. (See https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spycatcher/201205/what-the-shoulders-say-about-us)
Our shoulders speak. Dancers roll their shoulders to indicate joy and to look seductive. The shoulders reveal the heart. To slump may be to be discouraged, lack confidence, or interest. To shrug the shoulders can mean that we do not know or that we do not care.
Our shoulders speak. We talk about those who have a chip on their shoulder. We have all experienced someone giving us the "cold shoulder." When we are suspicious, we find ourselves looking over our shoulders. We, like the apostle Paul, expect everyone to shoulder their own load. And are willing to put our shoulder under the load with them when they do.
Our shoulders speak. Some in superstition find themselves throwing spilled salt over their shoulder, hoping to avoid bad luck. None of us arrive at success in any area of life alone. We find ourselves standing on the shoulders of those who have proceeded us! Our shoulders speak.
Some Scriptural Shoulders:
The first mention of the shoulder in Scripture is found in the story of Noah after the flood. Noah has found himself drunk and naked. His youngest son mocks him and makes fun. But his other two sons
"...Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness." (Gen 9:23)
Love covers a multitude of sins. Our Precious Lord bearing the cross upon His Shoulder and hanging naked in shame upon the cross baring His Sacred Shoulder covers our shame. He does not want to expose your sin to anyone, He seeks love.
Abraham placed bread, water, and the child Ishmael on Hagar's shoulder as she went out into the wilderness (Gen 21:14). When the LORD found her in the wilderness, he relieved her burden.
Rebecca was carrying her water jar on her shoulder when Abraham's servant met her at the Well of destiny. She let her jar down and gave him a drink and his camels. She shouldered a load and was willing to serve others and she got more than she bargained for! (Gen 24:15) Jesus carried all the weight of all that humanity will ever need upon His Shoulder, and He is letting down His Refreshing Jar today and inviting us to drink!
Job said he would wear his defense (a record of his righteous life) on his shoulder (Job 31:36). He wanted all to see. What He did not know is that the LORD did see, and He has seen our suffering from the front row seat of the cross. You are not suffering alone. His Shoulder has felt the splinters of the Cross.
Isaiah mentions shoulders in our text. First, he mentions the shoulders of the nation of Judah.
Isaiah 9:4 (cf. 10:27; 14:25)
For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
Psalm 37:5 LSV
"Roll your way on YHWH, And trust on Him, and He works."
He is coming alongside you right now and inviting you to roll your burden over on His Broad Shoulders.
Ezekiel 29:7 (ESV) - "When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins to shake."
This verse from Ezekiel speaks of the collapse of Egypt's strength when other nations relied on them for support. It can be used to illustrate the importance of relying on the strong shoulders of Christ rather than worldly powers that may fail us.
Exodus 28:12 (ESV) - "And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance."
The priestly garments of the Old Testament had stones on the shoulder pieces as a symbol of remembrance. This could be used to emphasize how Christ bears our names and concerns before God, always interceding on our behalf.
Christian Tradition - The image of Christ carrying the lost sheep on His shoulders (Luke 15:5) is a powerful symbol of His loving care and pursuit of the lost. This can be used to highlight the compassionate nature of our Savior and how He seeks to bring us back when we go astray.
Isaiah 46:7 (ESV) - "They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble."
This verse speaks of people carrying idols on their shoulders, highlighting the futility of trusting in anything other than the Almighty God. It can be used to contrast the false burdens people carry with the assurance that Christ's shoulders are capable of bearing all our burdens.
The Tradition of the Cross - The image of Christ carrying the cross on His shoulders is a central symbol of His sacrifice and love for humanity. This can be explored to illustrate how He took upon Himself the weight of our sins to bring us salvation.
Christian Hymns - There are several hymns that use the imagery of Christ's shoulders. For example, the hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" has the line, "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." This references the biblical verse in Matthew 10:29-31 and can be used to illustrate Christ's caring nature.
1. Resign From the Throne:
As we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life, we often find ourselves trying to control everything, carrying burdens that are too heavy for us to bear alone. However, the message of the gospel reminds us that the government shall be upon His shoulder (Isaiah 9:6).
Christ, our Savior, has the key of David laid upon His shoulder (Isaiah 22:22), symbolizing His authority and control over all things. Unlike earthly rulers who may fail us, He is the faithful and true one whose shoulders are broad enough to carry the weight of the world. He has broad shoulders, and on those shoulders, a key is laid.
Therefore, let us resign from our self-imposed thrones of control and cast our anxieties upon the Lord, trusting in His sovereign plan. When we lean on Him, we will find rest and peace, for His shoulders are strong and dependable.
2. Realize That He Is Enough:
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The message of the gospel is that we have an All-Sufficient Savior who is accessible. When Jacob fled from his brother Esau and found himself asleep on a stone pillow, he dreamed of a ladder whose top reached to heaven and saw an escalator carrying divine messengers up and down. At the top of the ladder was the LORD. When Jacob finally had to go home and face his brother, the LORD met him in Person and placed Himself into Jacob's grasp. At Christmas, JESUS came to us in an accessible way. He came as a baby. Vulnerable. And in the mystery of godliness, in that frail form dwelt all the fullness of the Divinity in a bodily form (Col 2:9). A Child born to us, A Son is given to us.
Everything that we need is in JESUS. He is:
Wonderful Counselor: His shoulders are large enough to bear whatever it is that you need to tell Him. He has the right advice for you no matter what the topic of discussion. You're carrying things you do not have to. Take it to the Lord and leave it there!
The Mighty God: He does not need any padding in His jacket. His Shoulders are large enough that they intimidate your enemies. He is a Warrior God.
The Everlasting Father: He is our Father. The Father of Eternity. He said if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. I will not leave you, orphans, I will come to you! I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I and the children which God has given to Me. We are born of God, a God Who can carry us. He bore Israel on Eagle's Wings.
The Prince of Peace: His Shoulders are wide enough to handle your turmoil and brokenness. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His Wounds, we are healed. Peace is Shalom. It means wholeness in every area of life. Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers (3 John 2). Our shoulders cannot bear the weight of getting it all right, but His can! He is the peace speaker! He can speak to your storms. He can calm them all!
Realize He is Enough. His Shoulders are Wide enough.
3. Regain Your Wonder:
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end (Isaiah 9:7).
Jesus describes the kingdom of God as ever-increasing. Like a mustard seed planted in the ground that grows night and day while men sleep until it is a fruitful lodging-place for birds. Or like leaven that a woman placed in three measures of meal and let rise until the entire batch was leavened. It is like the Stone cut out without hands in Daniel's vision that smote the image of the nations of the world and then grew into a mountain that filled the whole earth.
The increase of His government and peace shall have no end. The kingdom is already in us through water baptism into Christ (Gal 3:27) and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). We should live in ever-increasing peace, not turmoil.
We need to regain the wonder of salvation.
When we first came to the LORD, we were so excited about how far we had come. That is not all there is!
We need to regain our wonder of the Incarnation, that God has come to us in Christ! That the Child born and the Son given is Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace!
We need to pray with David, "Lord, restore unto me the joy of your salvation." It has been a hard couple of years. This Christmas we need to regain the wonder of the truth of the Virginal Conception, of the sinless life of our Lord, of His Death, Burial, Descent to the Dead, His Resurrection, and Ascension!
We need to regain the newness of life in Him! Of the increase of what He bears on His Shoulders, there shall be no end!
Would you give it to Him this morning? He can order it and establish it!
His Shoulders are broad enough.
Conclusion and Exhortation:
As we conclude, I invite you to ponder the image of Christ's shoulders, strong and capable of bearing all our burdens. The key of David rests upon His shoulder, signifying His authority and dominion over all things. When we trust in Christ, we can resign from the thrones of control we try to build and find rest in His sovereign plan.
Let us realize that He is enough. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Whatever challenges you may be facing, take them to His broad shoulders and find comfort and peace in His presence.
As we approach this Christmas season, may we regain our wonder and awe of our Savior. Let us remember that His government and peace have no end, and His shoulders are more than capable of carrying the weight of our lives.
Let this be a call to action for all of us. Cast your cares upon Him and place your trust in the One who carries the key of authority on His shoulders. Surrender your worries and anxieties, and allow His peace to reign in your heart.
Come to Him with childlike wonder and experience the joy of His salvation anew. Let the world see the hope and peace that rests upon your shoulders because of the One who bore the weight of the cross on His.
May the message of Wounds to Wonder resound in your hearts, and may you carry it with you as you go forth into the world, shining the light of Christ and His capable shoulders to all who need hope and redemption.
May His grace and peace be with you always. Amen.
