“He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief—and we hid as it were our faces from Him. He was despised and we esteemed Him not.”
Isaiah 53:3
From the womb unto the tomb—and even until today—these words describe Him; yet, His love for those who feel the same is ceaseless and sufficient.
“Despised and rejected.”
What painful words these are. And, how acute the pain of those who feel their sting from others’ words and deeds. That’s why today’s Manna is so precious—for it reminds any of us who’ve known them (and still know them) that we’re not alone in our Journey.
The Hebrew word “bazah” is used for “despised” and also means “despised, held in contempt, scorned, esteemed a vile person, etc.,” while “rejected” comes from “chadel” and basically means “void of value, worthless, frail, flabby, lacking, forsaken, etc.” Thus, the combination of the two gives the picture of something that is disdained and easily discarded—of no value to the one who possesses it.
Can you identify with that, Pilgrim?
Most likely, most of us can—for such feelings are commonplace these days in this “throwaway” world of ours. Think of it: Newborn babies being abandoned on doorsteps or in dumpsters. A spouse who’s ridiculed and divorced for another lover. A parent whose children rebel and are ungrateful for the many years of sacrifice rendered in his/her upbringing. One who stands on truth, refusing to compromise, and is fired, ridiculed, mocked, persecuted, etc.
Yes, we know well the poisonous effect of those two barbed words.
But, how thankful we should be that Jesus is that “Man of sorrows, well-acquainted with grief.” As the ‘ole saying goes, He’s “been there, done that.” He knows the sting of non-acceptance and being the butt of others’ jokes. He knows the feeling of others’ slander, lies, backbiting and blatant, callused, unloving deeds.
Yet, He continues loving. . .and forgiving. . .and whispering, “Trust Me. Rest in Me. Rely on Me. I’ll never treat you that way or leave you or forsake you.”
Is not this the Gospel (Good News), Pilgrim? Glory!!
That’s why we should never “hide our faces from Him,” afraid or ashamed to speak His Name in public. Has He not suffered enough already? Why, then, should we, if we claim Him as Savior and Lord, add to His pain by relegating Him to “spiritual” matters and not daring to openly confess Him in the public forum?
Yes, dear Pilgrim, Jesus deserves our best. And, even if we “enter into the fellowship of His sufferings and are made conformable unto His death” (Phil. 3:10b) when we live for Him, we need never wonder if He’s near—for He’s “well-acquainted with our grief” and is the true Sustainer of the soul. Hallelujah!! As the song says, “Come every soul by sin oppressed, There’s Mercy with the Lord. And, He will surely give you rest, By trusting in His Word. Only trust Him, only trust Him, Only trust Him now. He will save you, He will save you, He will save you now.” Thank You, Lord Jesus.
December 19, 2011
