The Broad Shoulders Of Christ

The Broad Shoulders of Christ

Introduction:

The prophet Isaiah has so many wonderful 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.

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. One criminal said silverbacks don't go after silverbacks. The soldiers guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier have good posture. No slouching. They walk back and forth with their chests our 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.