14. Acquainted with Grief

The Bible communicates something astounding about Jesus: the One in whom was “life” was deeply acquainted with sorrow and grief (Isaiah 53:3). I’ve had my share of pain; you have, too. Somehow, when we connect with others who’ve been where we are, something resonates and hope is delivered…

In fact, rabbis believed that when a story of redemption was told, the telling of the story carried the same power that was present in the original event which the story references. You’ve seen this happen before…

* It’s why you hear about a healing miracle and faith rises…

* It’s why you hear of a restored marriage and you gain confidence that the same could be true for you…

* It’s why you hear the story of someone’s financial breakthrough, and you suddenly sense that something more is possible for you, too...

Here’s the deal. As powerful as it is when we hear that others have been where we are- and that they have come out on the other side of the story- the Scripture teaches us that Jesus has been everywhere we’ve been, too (see Hebrews 4:15). For that reason, He’s able to sympathize with our weaknesses- even as He continues makes intercession for us (Hebrews 7:22). 

It doesn’t mean things are easy… 

And, yes, right now we live in the tension. A big one. A tension of the pain (acquainted with grief) and the joy (that all things WILL work together for the good, per Romans 8:26-28).