"Acquainted With Grief" (Isaiah 53:3)

Often, when the suffering and death of Jesus is considered, the theological aspect receives undue emphasis with consequent neglect of the practical viewpoint. Christian schools of thought tend unfortunately to centre their exposition around the cold legal doctrines concerning Christ’s ministry rather than the "perfecting experiences" through which our Master passed.

The reactions of affliction and trial upon his character were such that his sacrifice not only expunged the death sentence on humanity but prepared him for the work of re‑education and reconciliation of a future age. Meditation upon this side of the subject will enable us more clearly to see why we should follow closely in his steps, that we also might become sympathetic priests who will in due time assist the sin‑stricken world back to health and life.

Had the religious and political Jewish leaders at the First Advent been familiar with all the prophecies relating to the Deliverer of Israel they would have perceived, and instructed the people in the knowledge that the Messiah, for whom they looked, was not to be born into a princely environment of luxury and ease, neither was he to be a mighty general, schooled in the arts of war. They would have realised that their Messiah was to be a humble, peaceful healer, brought into the world amid the poorest circumstances, reared in a peasant home, ministering to the needs of contrite souls. Comparatively few of these simple folk would have understood the more intellectual side of his doctrine, but they did know that Israel had been riven by the conflicts of great empires for many generations and now in their midst had appeared One who healed as many as lay within his contact. Jesus of Nazareth, the wonderful physician, trod the rough roads of Palestine, telling forth a message of good‑will; preaching of love toward God and fellow man. It was a mission which was seldom undertaken without expense to personal comfort, and often He continued his labours while weary and foot sore. He stood out even above previous holy men who possessed the gifts of healing and prophecy, and yet for all the good that He did and said for over three years among God’s chosen people, his own people, they slew him as a traitor.

Rich and poor, pious and publican, young and old, had felt the effects of his work of curing the sick and making whole those who had hitherto not known the joys of vigorous life. Cripples who had begged out their miserable existence at the Temple Gate for decades were bidden to rise and walk: poor sightless eyes yet without vision of God’s universe were able to gaze into the face of the Master: deaf ears heard the voice of him who spake as yet no man had spoken and speechless tongues were loosed to praise the Creator. Whether stricken by bodily disease or afflicted in mind, their distress was remedied, not by some freakish "cure‑all" which lasted an hour or day, but set the captive at liberty to enjoy the freedom of health in physique and brain which the Life‑giver had intended. Where He had obtained the superhuman power they knew not, nor did they see in him the One who had come from God to turn away ungodliness from Jacob and bind the broken hearts. They did not recognise the fulfilment of the words of God’s holy prophets and realise that of this One it had been said "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him;" (Isa.53:10) and they understood not that this was the "Man of Sorrows" (Isa.53:3) who was despised and rejected of men. Blindness of eye was great, loss of spiritual vision was manifestly greater in them.

Sin had taken a severe toll of human life during the long ages, and despite man’s relentless effort to combat disease and pain, the struggle was mostly in vain. Therefore, it may seem strange to the casual observer that Jesus of Nazareth, one imbued with a living message and blessed with such curative power should be so wrongfully treated and put to death. There is more however in the story of the Saviour’s ministry than merely a wasted life and needless death,—very much more.

"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone" (John 12:24) were the words of the Master, sublimely expressing one of the principles of Creation. Thus, the loss of Jesus’ life will bring resurrection to all, including peace and health—and most of all promise of reconciliation to God, without which everlasting life would be impossible to man. Harmony with the Creator is an essential part of the happiness of humanity, and it is this work which is that of Jesus and his Church, for the age of Restitution. It is their blessed task to restore that condition which prevailed in Eden, of which it was written "so God created man in his own image." (Gen.1:27)

Within the scope of God’s redemptive purpose there lay even further beauties, for He planned that those who gave sufficient evidence of their love for himself should be changed into the likeness of their Lord. What a depth of goodness is here revealed in the Creator, that He should gather a family from among the sons of men, and that these brethren of Jesus should be associated in the work of restoration. Yet, Divine wisdom is again manifest, for who better could understand the weakness and hopelessness of sinful man than the Redeemer and those who have shared his thorny pathway while yet in the flesh? Who could more closely sympathise than those who have experienced the barrier between themselves and their Maker?

Sometimes the way with Jesus is difficult and sorrow seems multiplied on every side. It is just at those times when we should lay aside our work awhile, leave the rush and bustle of the day’s pressing duties, and enter into communion with One who trod this way before us. The great tomes of theological learning will not give us the comfort in such circumstances as will the simple gospel story of one who endured unto death amid the most heart‑breaking experiences.

Recall the picture of the Master as He provided bread for a hungry audience after discoursing to them all day; see him as He tenderly spoke to the Samaritan woman concerning the Word of Life! (John 4) The centurion’s servant was made whole by the Prince of Peace; the widow’s son was raised from the dead. Was He ever too weary or too bitter to minister to even one poor soul? Were any too foreign or too humble or too young for his healing touch? Did He ever lose his temper with that stiff‑necked generation of scoffers? No, indeed, his life was a sublime example of the wonderful precepts which He had enunciated on the mountain side in the early part of his ministry. (Matt.5:1‑12) His words and actions never became hasty even under the intense persecution of his latter days upon the earth. The nearer He came to death, the greater manifest was his love for his brethren and for the world.

But what is all this to us and what does it mean to our hearts and lives? If the word of the Lord is deeply rooted in our minds and if the "first love" for our beloved Lord has been retained through the trial and stress of life’s experiences, then slowly but surely the impression of his likeness is being made upon our characters. Beyond all intellectual knowledge, above the gifts of speech or pen, beside every Christian activity, must come this process of sanctification and development within the heart, of a fruitage of love which shall bring life to the nations and joy to all. It is the inward reaction to the buffeting and straining in life’s battles that makes or mars Christian character. Troubles arise within the very church, to which the godly soul must respond submissively to the Father’s will and with affection for our brethren. Intellects differ widely and cause the development of opposing viewpoints about certain doctrines; personalities, having been formed within contrasting environments, clash easily and cause friction among God’s people. What is the result upon the church? Do such experiences draw us closer together by the very fact that we must learn to be patient and care for each other’s limitations and weaknesses or does the reverse happen? Do the differences of opinion produce the fruit of the Spirit within us, drawing us nearer to our God and to each other? What opportunities are ours to practise the qualities needed to attain the standard of association with the great High Priest? The privilege of thus serving each other now is that we might be fitted for the future work of serving together. But patience is not developed in a community where everything runs smoothly, where all think the same way upon all points of Christian teaching. Neither is love engendered when those who irritate each other part company, for that abolishes many opportunities to express the joy of "in honour preferring one another." (Rom.12:10)

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples" was the identification which Jesus gave to his followers, "if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35) Looking into the future of his church He saw this distinguishing feature from the world, and recognised that while it toiled amid a scornful world, their unity, their constraining love would shine forth as a wonderful witness. Has this been the experience of his Bride through the ages? Does this illustrate the path of the Narrow Way through the Gospel Era (Age)? We leave each one to answer that question, now, but it is sufficient that in looking back over the centuries we take note of the failings of others and endeavour not to stumble as they have done. The world is quick to criticise weaknesses in Christian communities, especially when internal strife is evident, and it is of no avail displaying leaflets and tracts, and becoming noisy about "world events" unless there is a living witness within our fellowship shining clearly and purely.

Thus, shall we be prepared to go forth into the world here and now ministering such blessings and assistance as lie within our scope. If we have wrought good works among our brethren we shall be in a better condition to help our fellow man in the daily routine. It is easy to talk about brotherly love and shut half of God’s children outside our walls in cold isolation. It is even easier to explain how we shall bless "all families of the earth," (Gen.12:3) and then fail to bless the few of those families which we have contact with every day now. It may not be our privilege to labour among men and women in any healing or social capacity, but every child of God has the opportunity during some part of his life to manifest those qualities which will enable them to share the Kingdom work. As we jostle in queues, we are in one of the environments in which God has placed us to show forth his glory. God is training men and women now to be tender, kind‑hearted and patient with the human race. The qualities of mercy and wisdom will surely be required of those who have lived amid iniquity and unrighteousness for decades, as they restore to life and re‑educate earth’s millions. Who better will be trained for such a work than those who have manifested God’s love while they have been under the burden of human imperfection and subjected to persecution? Do we rejoice in affliction and revile not again when troubled on every side? Do our workmates, our colleagues, those with whom we have to do, day by day, see the gentle, compassionate side of our nature or the impassioned, ill‑tempered brutal aspect, which if allowed to spring up can easily spoil God’s workmanship.

"Henceforth know we no man after the flesh" (2 Cor.5:16) wrote the great Apostle Paul to the Corinthians—"No man" includes the fellow passengers in the train in which we travel, the man or woman behind the store counter or the brother and sister in the home; most of all, our brother and sister in Christ. The way we act and speak is that which is covered by "after the flesh," for after we have given our all to God, we look through new eyes of love and behold everything from the standpoint of a "New Creature." Everything now is seen as Jesus would see it, and as a priest of God would see it. Any other attitude toward our associates in life’s experience will lead us away from our calling.

So as another year of the Christian walk is ending, and we gather again in communion with our risen Lord, let us have in mind the grand outcome of sharing the bitter experience of "His cup." It is our privilege to come to the Master’s table year by year and speak one to another concerning the suffering which He bore for us, and meditate upon the joys we have in following his steps. May we remember we are part of one large family, one large loaf composed of many grains of wheat. But unless the loaf is broken, unless the grapes are crushed, the labour is in vain. May the year before us give us fresh vitality to assist our brethren in the bonds of Christian love, that we may "bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." (Gal.6:2)

Suffering with Christ will deepen our union with our Lord and Head (Phil.3:10) and it will also give a firmer basis of fellowship with our brethren. Sharing his cross will also bring the happy experience of sovereignty with him. What joys will be ours then, we can only meditate upon now. What was lost in Adam will be regained in that glad day. We shall have the privilege of spreading leaves of healing among the nations and teaching them the way of peace, health and life‑everlasting. What little we suffer now will be more than outweighed by one glance at our beloved Lord’s face, but we shall more than see him. If we co‑labour with him now, if we commune with him, share his sorrows and joys now, we shall share his life, when we are beyond.

March / April 1985