How incredible, then, to recognize that the human Christ was forsaken on the cross (by both mankind and by His Father) in a way we can never fully comprehend! Isaiah 53 speaks of that forsaking with painful words- despised, rejected, acquainted with grief, smitten, afflicted, wounded, bruised, chastised, and oppressed. Our hearts are grieved by these descriptions of our Savior’s sacrifice for our sins. But this account of Christ’s suffering also leads us to understand and grasp the truth that our Lord has experienced every human sorrow of the soul. Hebrews 4:15 teaches us that our Mediator and High Priest is touched by the feeling of our infirmities- He suffered the same physical frailties of flesh and feelings of anguish as we may, being tempted in all points like as we are.

I think of some of the griefs and troubling of mind and heart that we feel…

Sometimes we feel isolated. We can remember that the Man of Sorrows walked this earth as perfect God and perfect Man. And still, He was isolated by His birth, by His family, and set apart by His character of holiness.

Sometimes we feel judged and condemned. The Man of Sorrows was unjustly accused. He felt every wound inflicted by His accusers’ unjust speech. And He opened not His mouth!

Sometimes we feel rejected and neglected. Our Lord was rejected by an entire nation- His chosen people!

Sometimes we feel so alone. Christ prayed alone in Gethsemane. He later stood alone in front of His accusers, forsaken by His closest friends.

Sometimes we are weary of body and soul. The Man of Sorrows was at times wearied, overwhelmed, and crowded by the cares of life and needs of others. He was often “pressed by the crowd.”

Sometimes we feel grief at a loss, be it small or great. Our Savior was acquainted with grief. He also suffered sorrow of the heart at the loss of His beloved Lazarus.