Isaiah 53:4-5
I'm talking to someone today who is going through a deep agony of soul right now. Something has happened that's almost unbearable, and the people around you are either unable or unwilling to be what you need in this dark valley. Your world is shaking. It feels like there's not much you can hang onto right now - except what Jeremy hung onto at his brother's grave. You can hold onto the Cross of Jesus Christ. In that awful moment by his brother's grave, it seemed as if that cross was literally what was holding Jeremy up when everything else was caving in.
Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Isaiah 53:4-5. They're about Jesus and your pain. "Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows ... He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him..." If you belong to Jesus Christ, you have a Savior who knows all about sorrow - about being crushed. He's a Savior who still carries the wounds from the Cross where He bled and died for your sin and mine. When you bring your breaking heart to His cross, you look up at a Savior who understands the darkest feelings you have. In the words of the Bible, "...we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). There is no feeling, no agony, no struggle so deep that Jesus can't feel it and understand it, and help you carry it.
I had to move a very heavy couch not long ago. It was too heavy to carry alone, like what you're going through right now. But the Cross of Jesus is your assurance that Jesus is there to grab the other end of this unbearable burden and help you carry what you cannot carry alone. In fact, He will carry you when you can't walk any further.
The Cross tells you that Jesus will keep loving you when you have nothing loveable to offer Him. He will not abandon you for even a moment. He will give you His grace to get through this moment and His power to heal what earth could never heal.
If you don't belong to Him; if you're not sure you've ever begun your personal relationship, now in this valley, meet Him there. Open your life to Him there. Tell Him, "Jesus, You and what You did on the cross are my only hope. I am Yours. Here's my life today." So what are you waiting, come and experience the love of God right now! ! !
posted by I love Jesus! ! ! @ Friday, July 13, 2007
<< Home