The Man Of Sorrows

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 53:3

HAVE YOU EVER seriously considered what Jesus went through to pay for the sins of the world—yours in particular? We can read these poetic words and think about the truths behind them, but let’s look closer:

Despised: Jesus was God incarnate, and yet human beings treated him like dirt.

Rejected: Have you ever been on the receiving end of others’ scorn and ridicule? “Idiot!” “Fool!” “Jerk!” Imagine how it hurt the God who loved those people to hear them throw hateful words in his face.

A man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief: Jesus hurt at the sight of people throwing away with both hands the salvation he came to give. How much would it hurt you to see a son or daughter stomp into the dirt a check for money it took you years to earn and wanted to give as a blessing?

Turned our backs, looked the other way, did not care: Have you ever cried out to someone you loved and watched him or her walk away as if you were nothing?

Hateful, hurtful actions. Yet Jesus didn’t stop in his mission. He never gave up and said we weren’t worth it. He pressed on to the end, knowing that one day we might wake up and see his love for what it really is. His promise to those who do not reject him is found in John 1:12: “To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”