A Man of Sorrows

He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:3-4 (NIV)

Then Ishbi-Benob ... who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, "You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel." ~ 2 Samuel 21:16-17 (NKJV)

A king is the man esteemed by his subjects above all men, who lives amid opulent comfort, whose blood is protected at any cost. But our divine King—the king above all Kings—lived as a Man despised and rejected by His subjects, suffered as no other man, and gave His blood to protect us from the consequences of sin.

The Father looks at a onetime wretch like me without condemnation because of His Son's blood. I cannot sing about the blood or think long about the blood without shedding tears for my beloved King. In that moment my heart is fully yielded to Him.

Before I know it, I yield to pride, lust, selfishness. I esteem Him not enough to cease from sin. I unmindfully hide my face from Him. And so the Man of Sorrows is once again despised, by me, who desperately wants to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

When I come to myself the tears flow again.

Beloved Jesus, I long for the day when You are no longer a Man of sorrows, when I and all Your people are faithful without fail, love You without restraint, and yield to You alone. Thank You for setting us free from the consequences of sin and the power of sin. Come Lord Jesus! Set Your creation free from the presence of sin.

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