“He was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised, for whom we had no regard.” Isaiah 53:3
The Prophet Isaiah prophesied hundreds of years before the Christ was to come about the form of His appearance. These signs invite us to identify Him carefully. Unlike a handsome, majestic and magnificently attired king, the form of the Messiah would be startling - he would be the lowest of men, a man of sorrows and of much suffering. As if from the most despicable beggar on the street, the majority would turn their eyes away from him in scorn. Jesus perfectly fits into this description.“My strength is trickling away, my bones are all disjointed, my heart has turned to wax, melting inside me.” Psalm 22:14
The great love Jesus our Lord has for us led Him to take our weaknesses on Himself. He willed to become weak so that we might become strong. In our weakness, let us not hesitate to approach our good Lord, who waits for us to dispense the healing effects of His Passion into our souls. During this Holy Season, let us compensate for our terpidity with repentance, fervour and greater love.“The Lord guides a strong man’s steps and keeps them firm; and takes pleasure in him. When he trips he is not thrown sprawling, since the Lord supports him by the hand” Psalms 37:23-24
The Scripture tells us that the Lord loves those who are strong and courageous. A strong man is the one in whom the Word of God abides and who cuts down every temptation with the strong blows of God’s Word which He uses like a divine sword. Even if such a person trips, the Lord his protector and shield, quickly raises him up with His mighty hands.“Do not gloat over me, my enemy: though I have fallen I shall rise; though I live in darkness, the Lord is my light.” Micah 7:8
Sometimes it is quite possible that we may experience being temporarily overpowered or outwitted by the Devil. But this does not mean that we should give in to despair. In such situations, let us like the Psalmist look towards the Lord, Who is the Lord of the Battle with trust and hope. He is able to give strength to our tired arms to make them victorious in battle; He is the One who can adorn us with His invincible armor to resist and overpower our Enemy.“Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven..” Matthew 5:11-12
Jesus tells us three things in the above verses: the first, that we should resolutely stand for Him, the second that we should be prepared to hear all kinds of calumny spoken against us, and the third that we greatly rejoice because our reward is assured. We are indeed on the right track if we have to suffer because we stand for Jesus.“He was bearing our sins in His own body on the Cross, so that we might die to our sins and live for uprightness; through His bruises you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:25
When Adam and Eve committed the first sin, the first sacrifice was also made to make clothes of skin to cover their nakedness. For those who turn to Him, the Lord covers the nakedness caused by their sins with dazzling garments of righteousness. These garments are made from the Lamb of God, His Son Jesus Christ.“The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.”Luke 1:35
God chose the lowliest of all maidens to receive the greatest revelation He could ever give to humanity - the revelation of His Son, the mystery which as Saint Paul describes, He had kept hidden within Himself for many generations, and now had chosen to reveal to humanity. The Virgin believed and gave Her assent to God’s revelation and behold, the Word - the Son of God, became flesh and dwelt amongst us.“Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
God has given us everything we have. Some may offer back to God part of their wealth or their possessions. The saints, on the other hand, give us an example in giving back everything to God, including their own lives and all their freedom - so that God free to do as He pleases in their lives, without complaint. Let us imitate them by being joyful in our offerings, because God loves those who offer their gifts to him with a smile that comes from deep within their generous and joyful heart.“Unload your burden onto Yahweh and He will sustain you; never will He allow the upright to stumble.” Psalms 55:22
All of us have burdens to carry; quite often we fall under the weight of our burdens - be they sins, sorrows, sickness, bitterness or loneliness. But here is a comforting thought - there is One Who is ready to share our burdens. Jesus, who encounters us on our way invites us to unload our burdens on to Himself so that we can experience relief. Indeed, He is even ready to exchanges His uprightness with us for our sins!“You can trust that God will not let you be put to the test beyond your strength, but with any trial will also provide a way out by enabling you to put up with it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Every trial that we face is carefully weighed in God’s balance before being allowed in our lives. No trial is beyond our capacity, and God gives us the strength to face any trial, if only we trustingly turn to Him. Therefore, let us never be overwhelmed by our trials, knowing that they do not appear in our lives unless permitted by God.