Man of Sorrows

Over the past week, I shared a list of the Names of Jesus with one of our ladies’ groups at church and with our youth group kids. It was encouraging to hear which of the names of Jesus resonated with each of them and why.

As I continue through the Names of Jesus for advent this year, “Man of Sorrows” stood out to me this week.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Isaiah 53:3

If someone were described to me as being a sorrowful person, I would think of them as sad, depressed or hopeless about circumstances in their own life. “Jesus never once felt sorry for Himself. His sorrow was for others, and for the fallen, desperate condition of humanity” (David Guzik).

The Greek word was used to describe a pain and anguish applying to physical, mental, body and soul. Reflect with me for a moment on what this means in relation to Jesus. We know that His sorrow was for others not Himself. It was a pain and anguish for the circumstances of others that so encompassed Him that it is used as a description or name for Him. Jesus wasn’t a man of sorrows on occasion. It wasn’t just a few situations or people that brought out the sorrow in Him. Sorrow, pain and anguish for the plight of other people characterized Jesus.

It was a sorrow that saw someone’s poverty both spiritual and physical. It was a sorrow that saw mental, emotional and physical pain. It was sorrow that saw the struggle with temptation and desire to obey. It was sorrow that saw other’s losses and griefs. It was sorrow that saw someone’s rejection. In all of these, it was an understanding sorrow from Someone who was fully man as well as fully God and who experienced the same things.

Why does this matter? Jesus sees YOU and your situation. He is not off in Heaven partying at the right hand of the Father. His sorrow is for you and what you are going through. It matters to Him. He loves you. And the hope in that is not only that He understands and cares, but He comforts and aids. He has given you His Spirit to dwell in you. He is with you each step of the way. He brings comfort. He brings strength. He brings God’s truth to mind. Jesus doesn’t leave us alone in our own sorrow. He is with us. He grieves with us. He helps us.

It is comforting to know that Jesus sees and sorrows over our situations and that He understands, but He didn’t stop there. He endured immense suffering, including separation from His Father, and ultimately death so that we could get the true help we need.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

Jesus’ sorrow wasn’t in vain. He did something about it that no one else could do. He made a way to the Father where we receive mercy and grace in our time of need. Jesus knew and anguished in sorrow over all the hurts and sufferings that you and I would experience. He loved us so much that He gave His own life so that the sorrows in our lives would find the mercy and grace they need here and now and that one day they would be no more.

Before I started writing, I came across this quote that seemed fitting. “If I hope in anything or anyone less than One who has power over suffering and, ultimately, death, I am doomed to final disappointment. Suffering will drive me to hopelessness. It is the hope of Christ that makes it possible for us to persevere in times of tribulation and distress. We have an anchor for our souls that rests in the One who has gone before us and conquered” (R.C. Sproul).

As you meditate on Jesus as a man of sorrows, first, how does it encourage you personally? (I would love to read your comments below or on the Facebook or Instagram posts. Your words may be the encouragement someone else needs to hear.)

Second, if we are to be imitators of Jesus, how does Jesus being a man of sorrows change how you see and respond to others who are going through a time of sorrow, hurt or suffering?