Jesus Carried Our Sorrows
by Ann Robinson-Worley
Jesus told us that in this world we would not always have and easy life.
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4 If you are like me you have heard this scripture all your life and in sermons and even studied it but have you ever pondered the true meaning of it ? The Hebrew word for grief is Chala which means both physical sickness and pain as well as mental anguish.
Jesus warned us saying "They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them. But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world.
So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16
Jesus took upon himself our sicknesses and our sorrows on the cross. The Hebrew word for borne is nasa which is used to give us the idea of bearing or to carry away. He knew that the healing that we needed was not only physical in our bodies but it was also emotional. There are many Christians today who are suffering physically and emotionally. They have lost their jobs ,their medical insurance, their homes and their spouses. It is one thing to suffer sickness or grief as a result of some foolish decision that you make but yet another when you make the right decision and yet still suffer for doing what is good? There were circumstances that happened beyond their control and they were not at fault. These things did not happen because God was judging them as being wicked or evil. Just as God honored and exalted Job because of the suffering that he endured he will honor you.
Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days. Job 42:12-17
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor 1:2-4 No one enjoys experiencing emotional, physical, or spiritual afflictions but sometimes we must go through these sufferings that we might be a blessing to someone else in the future who is going through the same thing. Jesus never promised us that things were always going to be easy for us. Sometimes we will suffer for God's Glory.
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:12-14
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.
1 Peter 3:13-18
Look at Apostle Paul. He knew the reason why he was suffering. It wasn't because of anything that he did. He was doing sacrificial service to Christ Jesus. He said, But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law,
but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:7-11 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God. Col 1:24-25
Heartache and sorrows will come into our lives but Jesus made a way of escape for us. When he died on the cross he carried our sorrows. The Hebrew word for carry is saval. This word describes how Jesus acted as a porter would at a hotel carrying your heavy baggage to your room. This baggage didn't belong to Jesus but he determined to carry it for you even though he didn't own it. Do you have a deep inner pain or burden that you are carrying today? Why not try giving it to Jesus ? Jesus never intended for us to live in heartache and sorrow. Its time that you let go and give it to God. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:6-8
Jesus said," If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me. For the man who wants to save his life will lose it, but the man who loses his life for my sake will save it. For what is the use of a man gaining the whole world if he loses or forfeits his own soul?
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels." Luke 9: 23-27 If we are his children we share his treasures, and all that Christ claims as his will belong to all of us as well!
Yes, if we share in his suffering we shall certainly share in his glory. I know its hard but unless you give it to Him that deep inner pain and burden will continue to bring you fear and keep you from entering into the peace of God. Once you give your burden and sorrows to God don't go back and pick it back up.
In my opinion whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us.
Leave it in God's hands and He will work all things together for your good!
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Jesus is saying to you Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
And the hope is that in the end the whole of created life will be rescued from the tyranny of change and decay, and have its share in that magnificent liberty which can only belong to the children of God! It is plain to anyone with eyes to see that at the present time all created life groans in a sort of universal travail. And it is plain, too, that we who have a foretaste of the Spirit are in a state of painful tension, while we wait for that redemption of our bodies which will mean that at last we have realized our full son-ship in him. Romans 8:17-21
And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. Exodus 3:7
God knows your sorrow and your heartache so give it to Him today !
