Depths of Pain

Just as many were astonished at you,
So His [appearance] was marred more than any man,
And His form more than the sons of men.
Isaiah 52:14 (NKJV)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted [tried] as we are, yet without sin. ~ Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV)

When we hear of another's suffering, we can often relate an account of our own—and come across as trying to out-martyr someone. It requires grace and empathy to convey that we share someone else's pain from the well of our own pain.

Isaiah spoke to the suffering Israelites and lovingly relates the account of their suffering Messiah. But to this day, they see Isaiah's prophecy of Messiah's great suffering as a picture of their own suffering. They have yet to comprehend what God took upon Himself for them, or to know the depth of His own pain.

In every hour of anguish, our divine High Priest is united to our suffering. As a human, Jesus suffered all we do and more. His Spirit lives within us and is one with our pain. And our loving Father cannot help but grieve when His children sorrow.

We never plumb the depths of pain alone.

Almighty God, King of the Universe, what kind of God submits Himself to human misery? What depths of love compels You to know our depths of pain and plunge deeper still? You are worthy of our highest praise, our deepest love, our greatest sacrifice. Come Lord Jesus and make all things new!

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy