Reading: Isaiah 53
"He was wounded... He was crushed... By His stripes we are healed" - (Isa 53:5)
Crucifixion was no ordinary punishment. The pain was unbearable. Jesus was not simply "wounded" but He was "crushed." That's how Prophet Isaiah portrays the suffering of Jesus in prophecy (Isa 53:5,10). Let's see how Jesus handled physical pain-
a) Mental Preparation
Besides a general knowledge that He would suffer and die, Jesus was also mentally prepared for the kind of torture He would go through. The Father God sent Moses and Elijah to talk to His Son how He would suffer (Lk 9:28-31). Why of all the Old Testament prophets did God choose to send Moses and Elijah to talk to His Son? Both these men suffered immensely in their times. Moses was rejected by the people and slandered against by his associates. Elijah was threatened by a woman and he pleaded death. I'm sure these two men primarily encouraged Jesus. When folks come to us to share their problems, let's not take it lightly. It may be God's way of preparing us for a similar situation.
b) Honest Confession
Jesus cried out His feelings of pain to His Father: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Beware of the popular teaching of the day that you should not confess your pain. "Positive" confession is a psychological principle. The Biblical prescription is "true" confession. Philippians 4:8 is the all-time favourite of the proponents of positive confession. But the very first item in this prescription list is, "Whatever things are TRUE..." Be real. Be truthful. Paul never concealed or denied the physical weakness he had-"a thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor 12:7). He openly declared that it was a messenger of Satan to beat him. He cried out to God for help. The answer came though not as he expected. He was not healed but enabled to suffer. Ask whatever help you need for your body that suffers. Jesus asked for water. Seek medical help and submit yourself into the hands of God.
Rest in the Lord, and tell Him all your sorrow;
Trust in the love, so boundless, full and free;
He will not leave, nor will He e'er forsake you;
Rest in the Lord, and sweet your rest shall be!
"He was wounded... He was crushed... By His stripes we are healed" - (Isa 53:5)
Crucifixion was no ordinary punishment. The pain was unbearable. Jesus was not simply "wounded" but He was "crushed." That's how Prophet Isaiah portrays the suffering of Jesus in prophecy (Isa 53:5,10). Let's see how Jesus handled physical pain-
a) Mental Preparation
Besides a general knowledge that He would suffer and die, Jesus was also mentally prepared for the kind of torture He would go through. The Father God sent Moses and Elijah to talk to His Son how He would suffer (Lk 9:28-31). Why of all the Old Testament prophets did God choose to send Moses and Elijah to talk to His Son? Both these men suffered immensely in their times. Moses was rejected by the people and slandered against by his associates. Elijah was threatened by a woman and he pleaded death. I'm sure these two men primarily encouraged Jesus. When folks come to us to share their problems, let's not take it lightly. It may be God's way of preparing us for a similar situation.
b) Honest Confession
Jesus cried out His feelings of pain to His Father: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Beware of the popular teaching of the day that you should not confess your pain. "Positive" confession is a psychological principle. The Biblical prescription is "true" confession. Philippians 4:8 is the all-time favourite of the proponents of positive confession. But the very first item in this prescription list is, "Whatever things are TRUE..." Be real. Be truthful. Paul never concealed or denied the physical weakness he had-"a thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor 12:7). He openly declared that it was a messenger of Satan to beat him. He cried out to God for help. The answer came though not as he expected. He was not healed but enabled to suffer. Ask whatever help you need for your body that suffers. Jesus asked for water. Seek medical help and submit yourself into the hands of God.
Rest in the Lord, and tell Him all your sorrow;
Trust in the love, so boundless, full and free;
He will not leave, nor will He e'er forsake you;
Rest in the Lord, and sweet your rest shall be!
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