He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:3-4)
The suffering messiah so badly tortured he barely even looks human as they crucify him isn’t nearly as popular as the image of majestic conquering king coming for his Bride that many a fluttering heart amongst us longs for. I imagine our hearts will say “you’re beautiful!” and I know we will adore him, whether he still bears those horrific scars or not when we see him, though. Love doesn’t look at outward appearances.
Ours is a sinless Jesus, but not an untouchable one. He did no wrong, yet he knows the pain of the suffering of sin and even the agony of temptation. Whatever you are struggling with today, whatever affliction you suffer, the Lord understands the depth of your pain. He has experienced it, too, even the pain of rejection and being entirely alone. You are not. He is with you.
We thank you, Lord, for the comfort of your presence. We are amazed that unlike all the false Gods, you are not an untouchable beautiful person that Lords over us from a distance, but one that truly understands our struggles and our deepest pain for you have suffered along side of us, through no fault of your own. Hide us in you today, Lord. In Jesus name we pray, amen.