SURELY HE HAS BORNE OUR GRIEFS

“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isa. 53:4)

After the sermon on the mount, Matthew records an abundance of healing miracles that Jesus did. He cleansed a leper by touching him (Matt. 8:2-4). From a distance He healed the centurion’s servant from being paralyzed (Matt. 8:5-13). He healed Peter’s Mother-in-law of a fever (Matt. 8:14-15). He also healed a great many others (Matt. 8:16). By Jesus performing these miracles He fulfilled this very prophecy recorded in Isaiah (Matt. 8:17). What did Jesus receive in return?

As we advance through the Gospel record by Matthew we find that Jesus was afflicted on this Earth for you and for me. The Jewish leaders sought to kill Him (Matt. 12:14), one of His apostles, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Him (Matt. 26:47-55), the rest of His disciples forsook Him (Matt. 26:56), and Peter denied Him three times (Matt. 26:69-75). By the time we get to the cross, those that passed by Jesus added insult to injury (Matt. 27:39-40), as did the chief priests (Matt. 27:41-43), and the thieves (Matt. 27:44). Thankfully, one thief had a change of heart (Luke 23:39-43). Let us be reminded of the greatness of Christ’s love and sacrifice for us and the sins of the world (1 John 2:1-2).

Trent Thrasher