Jesus Man of Sorrow

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Isaiah 53:3

Sorrow and Grief

How many times have I read this Scripture?  Too numerous to count! This is part of Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming, suffering servant.   I am taken aback by the description of “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”   Why is it I read over Scripture?  Jesus, like me, has lived a life with sorrow and grief.  He experienced all the grief and sorrows I have. He gets it!  (Hebrews 2:18, 4:15)

In Lisa Tverberg’s book, Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus, she explains what John, “the beloved,” wrote in his gospel:  “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”  

Walking in the dust

“Walking in the dust” implied you were literally following the example of Jesus by matching Him step for step.  Jesus, the man, knew sorrow and grief. Jesus the servant, served those unworthy of being served. He even washed Judas’ feet!   Judas caused Him great sorrow. 

Despite our great grief in this world: our losses, our disappointments in others, our facing rejection, humiliation, abuse, and being misunderstood, Jesus gives us the example of service with a smile and humility while carrying His own broken heart. 

Grief and sorrow attempts to drain the life and joy out of ministry.  Jesus alone can give us an example to follow when the darkness of grief casts shadows of despair in our hearts.  Get up, give thanks, serve others, and be a living example. This is how we find happiness, joy, and peace once more.  Get a bit of dust on your feet left by the Master as you walk in His steps.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5irhNWG8G8c

I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked, by Larnelle Harris

Father, 

Thank You for the footprints of Jesus that continue to lead the way back to Eden and into Your Holy Presence.  May I be willing to do as Jesus did and give my Life for others and face grief and sorrow with my eyes on the Master, knowing the suffering is for the gain of Heaven’s Kingdom and Your glory.  Lord, as the footprints in the sand are visible still today, may I be as obedient as the Greatest Rabbi as He walked all the way for me.

Yvonne Jones

The Grief of God

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2019/04/17/the-grief-god/