He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Isaiah 53:4
Jesus was a man of sorrows because He carried our sorrows. He took up our griefs—as if He intentionally bent down and picked them up. Jesus chose to take our griefs on Himself, He entered every dimension of human grief possible:
Physical. Predicting what Jesus would endure on the cross, the psalmist says, “all my bones are out of joint” (Psa. 22:14). If you suffer physical pain, Jesus has been there too.
Emotional. Have you been shamed, abused, or hated by others? Jesus bore these too. He was stripped of His robe and ridiculed. He was mocked and taunted by people who hated Him.
Personal. Do you feel isolated, abandoned, or alone? One of Jesus’ closest friends betrayed Him, and another denied ever knowing Him. The rest forsook Him and fled.
Social. Have you shown love, patience, and kindness to others, only to have it thrown back in your face? “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11). If your love, patience, and kindness have been rejected, know that Jesus carried that sorrow too.
Judicial. A prosecutor physically attacked Jesus in the courtroom. Multiple charges were fabricated against Him. And He was condemned to death by a judge who had pronounced Him innocent on three occasions. Have you suffered injustice? Jesus has been there too.
Spiritual. When our sins were laid on Jesus, Jesus could no longer feel the comfort of His Father’s love and He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mat. 27:46). If you have felt abandoned by God, Jesus has been there. He carried this grief, too.
Take your griefs and sorrows to Jesus. He’s been there, and He understands you.
