“It was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:10)
When we think of the suffering Christ endured to save us, we most naturally think of the cross, and rightly so. Jesus agonized in prayer and his sweat became like great drops of blood in anticipation of bearing the fulness of God’s wrath for our sin.
Then we probably broaden out to the suffering that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion that final week. He was betrayed, abandoned, unjustly treated, mocked, beaten, scourged, and pierced for our transgressions.
But the suffering through which Jesus became the founder of our salvation spanned his entire earthly life. From the moment the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit, he was emptying himself, taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men. When Jesus entered into the world that He had made as the God man, he entered into our suffering.
“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.
Surely He has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:3-4a).”
In doing so, not only did Jesus accomplish our redemption, but he also became our merciful high priest.
“He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17).”
And He became our sympathetic high priest.
“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).”
Grace, these days have in so many ways been days of acute sorrow and grief, but we are not alone. The Man of Sorrows “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).”
Man of Sorrows will be a series of five sermons culminating on Good Friday where we reflect on the many ways Jesus has suffered for us and now stands by us and upholds us in our suffering.
- He emptied Himself. (March 7)
- He was acquainted with grief. (March 14)
- He was tempted by sin. (March 21)
- He was despised and rejected. (March 28)
- He was smitten by God and afflicted (April 2 – Good Friday)
Jackson will be preaching this Sunday from Philippians 2:6-10 and our sung worship will be led by Kenny Clark. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And let’s confidently draw near to the throne of grace this week asking the Lord to comfort, encourage, and strengthen us as we fix our eyes on the Man of Sorrows.
See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!
Song Link of the Week
Man of Sorrows by Jill Phillips
Man of Sorrows, what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah! What a Savior!