What does "He has borne our griefs" reveal about Jesus' compassion for us? Unpacking Isaiah 53:4—“He has borne our griefs” “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted.” Setting the Scene • Isaiah 53 paints the portrait of the promised Servant who would suffer in the place of sinners. • The verse sits at the center of that prophecy, explaining why the Servant suffers: He takes something that rightly belongs to us. Key Words That Open the Door • “Borne” (Hebrew nāśā’)—to lift, carry, shoulder a load. It is active and intentional. • “Griefs” (Hebrew ḥolî)—illness, misery, weakness; not limited to physical sickness but all forms of human brokenness. Together, the phrase says the Servant voluntarily hoists the whole package of our pain onto His own back. What This Reveals About Jesus’ Compassion 1. He Moves Toward, Not Away – In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly draws near to hurting people (Mark 1:41; John 11:33-35). – Matthew 8:16-17 quotes Isaiah 53:4 to show that every healing episode flows from His fulfillment of this verse. 2. He Lifts the Weight Completely – He doesn’t merely sympathize; He shoulders the burden. – 1 Peter 2:24: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree…”—the same verb Isaiah uses. 3. He Engages Every Dimension of Suffering • Physical: He healed bodies and ultimately promises resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). • Emotional: “carried our sorrows”—He feels what crushes us (Hebrews 4:15). • Spiritual: He absorbs sin’s penalty so we can be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:21). 4. His Compassion Is Costly – The Servant is “struck down and afflicted.” Our relief is purchased at the price of His agony. – Galatians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us.” 5. His Bearing Is Ongoing – Psalm 55:22 invites, “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you.” Because Jesus bore the ultimate load at Calvary, He remains able to carry today’s griefs. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 shows Him comforting us so we can extend the same comfort to others. Living in the Reality of His Compassion • Rest — You are not asked to carry guilt or shame He has already lifted. • Return — Keep bringing fresh hurts to the One who still bears. • Reflect — Show tangible mercy to others, mirroring the way He stepped into your pain (Ephesians 4:32). Closing Snapshot Isaiah 53:4 is more than poetry; it is a window into the heart of Jesus. The cross proves that His compassion is not sentimental but sacrificial. Having borne our griefs once for all, He stands ready—today and every day—to shoulder whatever still weighs us down. |
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