Man of Sorrows

A few years ago, Carmen almost lost her life in a motorbike accident. She was driving home at night in the Dominican Republic when another driver came out of nowhere and hit her.

Life changed in an instant.

Carmen vividly remembers being on fire and not knowing where to go or who to call. At the time, she was also five months pregnant.

The accident had severe repercussions, and the front side of Carmen’s body was left completely scarred from the burns. The doctors weren’t expecting her or her baby to survive.

Miraculously, Carmen turned a corner when she was registered into the local Compassion Mums and Babies project. Almost overnight, she was surrounded by people who cooked her meals every day and cleaned her home. Even her medical bills were covered.

For Carmen, the support shown by her local church and Compassion project turned her world upside down. Here was a woman with limited financial options, facing the aftermath of an unthinkable tragedy with an unborn child on the way—yet she wasn’t alone. Strangers willingly came into her home and nursed her back to health. It left her speechless. She’d done nothing to earn this kind of support, yet love was poured out lavishly. It meant everything to her, and Carmen responded with a humble posture of gratitude.

As we reflect on the passage above, we read that when Jesus came into the world, He was not welcomed with open arms. It says the people did not ‘receive him’ (v11).

Although this was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, sent to restore the world to right relationship with the Father, many openly rejected Him and turned away.

It’s easy to think of Jesus as the ‘superhero’ of the story—and He very much is—but He wasn’t the kind of King that the people were expecting. He wasn’t always showered with compliments and cheers when He entered a room. In fact, many times, it was quite the opposite.

People misunderstood Him and judged Him harshly. Jesus knows better than anyone what it’s like to be an outcast.

The prophet Isaiah describes Jesus as ‘a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief’ (Isaiah 53:3). This title is the pinnacle of His beauty. He understands the cup of suffering in a way that no one else could. He understands better than anyone the scars that Carmen will forever wear from her accident.

Today, there may be things in your life that are fighting for your attention. There may be circumstances that feel overwhelming. Deadlines to meet. Pressures that are loud and insistent. Heartbreak. Unforgiveness.

Could you take a moment to invite God into that space?

Whatever you’re facing, God sees and understands. He is not repelled by the brokenness—that’s what He came to heal.

Just as the people from Carmen’s local church swooped in and covered her when she was weak and vulnerable, Jesus wants to do the same for you today.

There is no pain too great, no situation too far gone, that He cannot turn around for your good. Speak with Him today. He’s listening.

Reflection

Have you ever felt rejected, excluded or misunderstood? Is it comforting to know that Jesus also went through these things?

Prayer

Jesus, as we bring before you the broken pieces of our lives, thank you for the reminder that you do not recoil from the messy or uncomfortable parts. You are the kind of Father who will get in the dust and sit beside us in our grief—and then you will take our hand and gently guide us back out into the sunlight again. Nothing on heaven or earth could ever separate us from your love, and we thank you for your presence here with us.In Jesus’ name. Amen.