Man of Sorrows, the Suffering Servant

I’ve been dreading this post for weeks.

It’s Christmas time, the time to celebrate the joyous birth of our Savior–Hark the Herald and O Come, All Ye Faithful. Gloria in Excelsis Deo.

And yet, this week, we’re looking at the man of sorrows. His parents fled because Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus spent His whole life under a cloud of suspicion that He was illegitimate. During His earthly ministry, His own family rejected Him. He was an itinerant – homeless – rabbi. Dirt poor.

The precious Christ child grew up to be a man of sorrows, an Ish Makoboth. The Suffering Servant came to suffer and die for our sins.

He was despised and forsaken of men,

A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

And like one from whom men hide their face

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,

And our sorrows He carried;

Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,

And by His scourging we are healed. – Isaiah 53:3-5

And yet . . .

He bore my griefs.

He carried my sorrows.

He was smitten and afflicted of God – for me.

He was pierced for my transgressions.

He was crushed for my iniquities.

Chastening fell on Him for my well-being.

I am healed because He was scourged for me.

Thank you, Jesus.