Like one from whom men hide their face—Easter Series Part 3

He was despised and acheter cialis en ligne espagne forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Isaiah 53:3

This is a picture of the Messiah as He prepared to take on the sins of the world and to rescue mankind from its murderous grip. It’s courageous enough to risk your life to save someone when folks on the sidelines are oohing and ahhing at your heroic bravery. It’s light-years beyond that when you willingly lay down your life for the very ones who scornfully mock, jeer, and abuse you. But that is exactly what our Savior did—one indelible rescue mission on behalf of the entire human race.

He was despised and forsaken of men…

Jesus was despised. He was disdained. He was held in derision. A quick survey of current thought reveals that many still despise Him. He was forsaken by His family and many of His closest friends and was rejected by the world He came to save. Neither you nor I would be able to sustain such blatant contempt or rejection from those we sought to help. Jesus, on the other hand, held tightly to the mission given to Him by the Father from the beginning of time to seek and to save the lost…even when they rejected Him with utter disdain.

…a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…

Who was this Man to whom lepers, prostitutes, fishermen, tax collectors, priests, and children flocked? How could one Man—so despised, yet so magnetic—draw from such a diverse swath of society? He was not merely kind—although kindness and order female viagra online price parksroofcleaning.com compassion permeated all that He did. He was not merely powerful—although wherever He went, signs, wonders, and healings followed.

He was, to His core, a Man of sorrows and pain. He was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, fully acquainted with sickness and grief. He was a Man, not only of kindness and power, but a Man who seemed to understand the very depth of each man’s sorrow, pain, sickness, and grief. He never scolded nor demeaned anyone suffering under its cruel grip; instead He stepped in to heal each one with compassion and power. He was not like the religious leaders of the day who couldn’t sympathize with the weaknesses of the people, but He was One who had been tempted in all things just like everyone else—yet without ever sinning (see Hebrews 4:15). There was within Him something so unnervingly deep and unsearchable that made it impossible for His detractors—or His followers—to peg, trap, or figure Him out.

…and like one from whom men hide their face…

Many despised Him and sought to ensnare Him; multitudes followed Him and sought to touch Him. And yet this Man could gaze into each one’s heart and know the thoughts, fears, and dreams within. He read people’s mail; He knew when they were trying to trap Him; He knew when they were lying; He knew their history and the motives of their heart—and that made them uneasy. More than once, Pharisees and Sadducees walked away from an encounter with Him, their heads hanging in silence. Nathanael was awed at the Lord’s ability to read his mail (see John 1:47-48). Zacchaeus the tax collector experienced Jesus’ penetrating insight (see Luke 19:1-6), as did the woman at the well (see John 4:15-19). The rich young ruler, after expressing a zealous desire to follow Him, slunk away, grieved and massuro.com comprar levitra italia saddened, after Jesus gently exposed the young man’s attachment to his wealth (Mark 10:20-22). Peter, more than once, was cut to the core when Jesus confronted Him; after he denied the Lord, one look from Jesus made him turn and weep bitterly (see Luke 22:61-62).

Have you ever experienced awkward silence when the topic of Jesus comes up in public? It’s uncanny; even now so many seem to hide their faces from Him.

But this Man’s redeeming work was not merely for those who would embrace Him quickly or for the hesitant ones who would take the plunge after giving it much thought. No, He also died for those who purposefully sought to hide their face—and their heart—from Him. And He died for those who are still in hiding.

…He was despised…

He was loved and He was despised—and often, both love and hatred toward Him raged together within the same heart. It’s still that way for many; men and women battling in the secret places of their souls sneak furtive glimpses His way in the valley of their decision. They sense the truth and long for it; but they resent it as well. The only way they know how to deal with such a Man is to either embrace Him or despise Him. Some of you underwent the same inner warfare—I certainly did—yet despite the tumultuous conflict, the Lord led each of us into the truth. Pray for those still gripped by this war to see Him through the smoke of battle and to find the grace to follow Him to the safety of the cross and the blood He shed for them.

This was why He came: to be high and lifted up onto the cross of judgment. Without His atoning death, no one would see God; no one would inherit eternal life.

In His eyes, you and I and all the rest were worth every agonizing moment of the suffering He endured. But despite this…

…we did not esteem Him.

Many still do not esteem Him. However, the fact remains that this Man took our place that day two millennia ago to free each of us from our captivity to sin, self, and sorrow.

And He never once regretted it.

Dorothy

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2, KJV; emphasis added