Acquainted With Grief - The One Year Book of Hope

Acquainted With Grief

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. –Isaiah 53:3

It was Matt’s last day of second grade, which was devoted to a big outdoor carnival. With Hope in the stroller, I was making the rounds, resisting the urge to tell everyone who stopped to greet us that their good-bye to her for the summer would likely be the last time they would see her.

One woman at Fun Day knew what that felt like. Several years before, Audrey had lost a son who lived only nine months due to a heart condition. As we discussed the realities of facing death and the awkwardness of discussing that reality with other people, she shared with me one of the most painful aspects of losing her son. It was when people didn’t say anything to her after her son died. She said, “I wanted to tell them, ‘How could you add to my pain by ignoring it?’ ” It was helpful for me to talk to someone who understood my fears and feelings, and helpful to know in advance that there would be those who would not—or at least appear not to—care.

The prophet Isaiah paints a picture of the coming Messiah as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Maybe Isaiah included this aspect of Jesus’ character in his description because he knew that you and I would need the kind of comfort and companionship on our road of sorrow that we can find only with someone who has “been there.” Does it help you to know that Jesus can relate to your sorrow? It helps me.

Jesus can also relate to your feelings of loneliness and betrayal when you feel that those around you do not care deeply about the hurt in your life, when they turn their backs on you at the moment of your greatest need. Have you thought that no one really understands your feelings of rejection and pain? Have you felt that no one cares? Jesus understands. Jesus cares.

Man of Sorrows, I see you more clearly as this aspect of your character and experience comes into view. How I need your understanding companionship on this road of grief. Show me how to respond the way you did to those who seem not to care: with forgiveness.

DIGGING DEEPER