Man of Sorrows
If you’ve ever been called “sensitive” or “emotional,” you may feel shame over your emotions or for feeling disappointment; but we have a friend in Jesus who recognizes our emotions and helps us process them in a God-honoring way.
READ: Isaiah 53:1-3
”Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.“ - Isaiah 53:1-3 NLT
What does it mean to be “acquainted with deepest grief?” The word acquainted means “aware of, accustomed to, or familiar with.” In unpacking this scripture, I was reminded that while Jesus is able to (and does!) empathize with our emotional wounds, we have the freedom through the Holy Spirit to be healed of that grief and walk forward in His peace. What a comfort for a self-proclaimed “big feeler” like myself.
READ: Hebrews 12:1-4
”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.“ - Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT
When we consider the suffering Jesus endured on the cross, our struggles seem so much more conquerable. Jesus set His mind on the joy awaiting Him, and the blessing is that so can we! Setting our eyes on this promise in the midst of our grief can give us the strength to carry on in the race set before us.
JOURNAL: What sorrows might you need to share with Jesus today? As you consider them, remind yourself of the ways He is healing you of that grief. How might you need God to build your endurance in order to run your race?
PRAY: Ask God to help you release yourself from any shame you may feel about your emotions. Thank Him for His humanity in understanding our human emotions and His holiness in overcoming the pain and sin of the world. Praise Him for overcoming death forever so that you might walk in joy and freedom through the Holy Spirit.
READ: Isaiah 53:1-3
”Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.“ - Isaiah 53:1-3 NLT
What does it mean to be “acquainted with deepest grief?” The word acquainted means “aware of, accustomed to, or familiar with.” In unpacking this scripture, I was reminded that while Jesus is able to (and does!) empathize with our emotional wounds, we have the freedom through the Holy Spirit to be healed of that grief and walk forward in His peace. What a comfort for a self-proclaimed “big feeler” like myself.
READ: Hebrews 12:1-4
”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.“ - Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT
When we consider the suffering Jesus endured on the cross, our struggles seem so much more conquerable. Jesus set His mind on the joy awaiting Him, and the blessing is that so can we! Setting our eyes on this promise in the midst of our grief can give us the strength to carry on in the race set before us.
JOURNAL: What sorrows might you need to share with Jesus today? As you consider them, remind yourself of the ways He is healing you of that grief. How might you need God to build your endurance in order to run your race?
PRAY: Ask God to help you release yourself from any shame you may feel about your emotions. Thank Him for His humanity in understanding our human emotions and His holiness in overcoming the pain and sin of the world. Praise Him for overcoming death forever so that you might walk in joy and freedom through the Holy Spirit.
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1 Comment
Love this, Rach 🔥