A Man of Sorrows

Jesus wept.
John 11:35

Recommended Reading Matthew 26:36-39

Someone once said, "You may soon forget those with whom you have laughed, but you will never forget those with whom you have wept."

When we are experiencing sorrow, one of the greatest comforts is knowing that someone else has gone through a similar trial and has literally felt the sadness we feel. In such dark times of life, we tend to cling to those friends who have been where we are. Jesus is one such friend. He experienced the death of a very close friend, watched as some of His disciples openly betrayed Him, and kept silent as He was unjustly beaten and hung on a cross. Needless to say, He was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," and can therefore relate to us on a very personal level when we are dealing with pain and grief (Isaiah 53:3).

If you are in a time of sadness and sorrow and feel that no one understands you, remember that Jesus understands because He has experienced pain too. You can trust that He has been wherever you are and will walk with you through your darkest hour.

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who . . . have chosen . . . to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand.
Henri Nouwen