Who Goes With You?

He was despised and rejected,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. (Isaiah 53:3)

This is one of the most famous prophecies about Jesus. Isaiah had already painted a picture of the Messiah who was triumphant (“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” - Isaiah 9:6). Now, in chapter 53 Isaiah paints a picture of the Messiah in suffering terms. Sometimes we forget that he is both.

This week, let’s try to hold on to both. Let’s not be ashamed of his suffering. Let’s not be put off by his triumph. But more than anything, let’s hold on to Jesus, our Messiah, in the midst of our hardships. He said he would never leave us or forsake us. He was called “Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” As Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses.”

This week, as you enter into situations that are hard on you, as you wrestle with the suffering of the world, see if you can take a moment to remember Jesus - the triumphant one and the suffering one - in the trenches with you. Ask him today to make his presence known to you.