A Man of Sorrows.

I would like to draw your attention to the phrase “A Man of Sorrows”.

The Bible describes Jesus as “A Man of Sorrows”

I come from India - a land of 330 million gods, which is a little more than the human population of the United States.

Each of these 330 million gods have an expression:

As you just walk through the streets of India, you come see their idols portraying their facial expressions:

A god of money

A god of fortune

A god of knowledge

A god of laughter

A god of destruction

A God of laughter

What sets apart Jesus Christ uniquely from others is this : Man of Sorrows, A God who suffered.

This is what a suffering world needs - A Saviour who takes their suffering. A Saviour who has experienced the suffering.

We have a God who cries with us, - A God who not only knows our Sorrows but also has made them his own

Once I was visiting a hospital in India, sharing the gospel with patients. Most of them readily accept my offer of praying for them. But not always. This particular day I entered a room of the patient, he was alone in his bed and no one in his room. As I offered to pray for him - he shouted at me with anger and frustration over his life situation. He asked me where is your God when I am left alone, when my wife left me, when my children do not care for me.

I did not have any answer for his questions. I knew that my well informed theological answers about suffering will not mean anything to him. I momentarily prayed. It was a catholic hospital . As I Looked around there on the wall of the hospital room was a crucifix portraying the crucifixion of Christ. I just pointed out to him the suffering Lord - and told him that while your sufferings are real, there is this man who suffered the most. The story of the suffering Lord who did not deserve this suffering brought tears in the eyes of the patient. And very soon I could pray for him...

His bitterness was melted.... This could be brought about only by a God who suffered by experiencing the sorrows.

Brothers an sister - A man of sorrows… This Table reminds us about the Man of Sorrows, His suffering because he took our sorrows!