KEY PASSAGE
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and FAMILIAR WITH PAIN. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
– ISAIAH 53:3-4
JESUS IS FAMILIAR WITH YOUR WEARINESS FROM PAIN
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and FAMILIAR WITH PAIN.
– ISAIAH 53:3
PAIN = malady, anxiety, calamity:—disease, sickness, grief
41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground.
– LUKE 22:41-44
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.— 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
– ISAIAH 53:5-7
JESUS ENDURED PAIN BY FOCUSING ON THE JOY OF BEING IN HIS FATHER’S PRESENCE
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, 2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
– HEBREWS 12:1-2
SET BEFORE HIM = those things which by any appointment are destined to be done, borne, or ATTAINED BY ANYONE
6 And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7 [and He did this] so that IN THE AGES TO COME He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].
– EPHESIANS 2:6-7
PAIN OF THIS WORLD IS TEMPORARY BUT JOY FOUND IN JESUS IS ETERNAL
2 …and SAT DOWN at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
– HEBREWS 12:2
13 But now I am coming to You; and I say these things [while I am still] in the world so that they may experience My JOY made FULL and COMPLETE and PERFECT WITHIN them [FILLING their hearts with My delight].
– JOHN 17:13
GROUP ACTIVATION:
FINDING JOY IN THE MIDST OF PAIN
READ: ISAIAH 53:3-4
- JESUS IS FAMILIAR WITH YOUR WEARINESS FROM PAIN
READ: LUKE 22:41-44; ISAIAH 53:5-7
ASK:
Where am I currently feeling the need for vengeance and God is calling me to pursue victory through joy?
- PAIN IS ENDURED BY FOCUSING ON JOY THAT IS SET BEFORE YOU
READ: HEBREWS 12:1-2; EPHESIANS 2:6-7
ASK:
Have I asked Jesus to show himself to me in the midst of my pain?
- PAIN OF THIS WORLD IS TEMPORARY BUT JOY FOUND IN JESUS IS ETERNAL
READ: JOHN 17:13
ASK:
Jesus understands my pain and is offering me His joy. When am I going to talk to Jesus about my pain?
PRAY:
God, thank you for sending your son take the pain of the cross upon Himself for my sake. Jesus you understand my pain and I am asking for your joy only found in you. Amen.