We gravitate to narratives of success – when someone pulls himself up ‘by his own bootstraps’. We applaud triumph over tragedy. We cheer those who overcome hardships and rejoice when there is healing from sickness. We love the stories of conquering hero and victor.
While this is fine and good, we do well to remember that this is only half of the story.
Jesus is the glorious king, victor over death, and resurrecting Lord.
Jesus is also a Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief.
Isaiah 53 states:
My servant grew like a root in the 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.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was stripped so we could be healed…
He was oppressed and treated harshly.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
It is easier to listen to stories of pain when it is wrapped up neatly in the end, tied with a bright bow of conclusion. But what about the stories of consistent pain? The ones in which an individual does not get healed? The story of continued sorrow? The story of such deep loss that the heart can never fully recover on this side of eternity?
Pain that lasts.
What if, instead of “This too shall pass” we realize that in this world, “This too shall last”?
Ouch! Does God really do that?
Think of Jesus. A man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. God in human flesh, dwelt among us. Jesus Christ showed us how to live well with sorrow as a companion.
We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!
Hebrews 12:2 TPT
Jesus allowed sorrow to soften him. He embraced grief, knowing what would be birthed in us.
Pain – emotional and physical is something He understands because He has walked in our shoes.
Jesus knew pain and sorrow long before the crucifixion, mind you. He was raised in an occupied territory – Rome ruled Judeah. He witnessed horrific atrocities, knew hunger, and faced humiliation. He was a witness and participant of extreme human sorrow on numerous fronts. Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief.
Sorrow is a part of the human story. It is OK to recognize that this too, may last.
May we walk in faith, believing that things will be birthed in us, through us, and birthed in those around us because of this faith.
…Who for the joy and reward that was set before him, he [Jesus] endured. He conquered. He now sits exalted in the place of honor.
The most painful part of your process will also produce the most power in your life.
Your pain will either be your prison or your platform.
It is your choice.