In Isaiah 53:3 I read, “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.” (NIV)
If I ever wake up feeling lonely, God has something to say: “I understand exactly how you feel.” God is with me during this difficult season. If I thought Jesus didn’t understand loneliness, I’d be wrong. Jesus was despised and rejected by the people he created. He experienced loneliness throughout his entire life.
During his final hours, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. This was an emotional time for him. He knew the very next day he would be crucified on the cross, separated from his Father.
Since Jesus had a need for human companionship, he took his three best friends, Peter, James, and John, with him into the garden. He said to them, “I’m very sad . . . Stay here and keep alert with me” (Matthew 26:38 CEB).
But what did they do? They fell asleep! Jesus came back and said, “Couldn’t you stay alert one hour with me?” (Matthew 26:40 CEB). Jesus must have felt so lonely at that moment.
The next day, he was nailed to a cross, where he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 GW). Since Jesus was carrying the sins of the world, the Father couldn’t look at sin, at him. Jesus was truly alone.
So Jesus knows what it’s like to feel lonely. And he wants to relieve my loneliness. He cares about me and wants to help me.
Maybe loneliness isn’t an issue today. However, I might be surprised by who the lonely people around me are. Loneliness doesn’t care whether I’m beautiful, wealthy, successful, or popular. Even married people can be lonely; some couples never share any true intimacy, closeness, and fellowship. The pandemic has made it clear that no one is immune to loneliness. Eventually, each one of us experiences it.
When I’m lonely, Jesus understands and he wants to provide relief. The ultimate way that Jesus can relieve my loneliness is by making me part of his family. Through his own lonely death and then his Resurrection, Jesus made it possible for me to belong to God’s family.
When I’m part of God’s family, I still may face seasons when I feel lonely. But I will never truly be alone again.
In summary, Jesus was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. He was despised, and held in low esteem. If I ever wake up feeling lonely, God can say: “I understand exactly how you feel.” God will be with me during this or any other difficult season. Jesus was despised and rejected by the people he created. He experienced loneliness throughout his entire life. During his final hours, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Since Jesus had a need for human companionship, he took his three best friends, and said to them, “Stay here and keep alert with me.” But they fell asleep! Jesus must have felt so lonely at that moment. The next day, he was nailed to a cross, where he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Jesus was carrying the sins of the world, the Father couldn’t look at sin, at him. In that time Jesus was truly alone. So Jesus knows what it’s like to feel lonely. And he wants to relieve my loneliness. He cares about me and wants to help me. I might also be surprised by who the lonely people around me are. No one is immune to loneliness. When I’m lonely, Jesus understands and he wants to provide relief. The ultimate way that Jesus can relieve my loneliness is by making me part of his family. Through his own lonely death and then his Resurrection, Jesus made it possible. I still may face seasons when I feel lonely. But I will never truly be alone again because I am part of his family.
Who would believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble, suffering servant rather than a glorious king? The idea is contrary to human pride and worldly ways of thinking. But God often works in ways I don't expect. The Messiah's strength is shown by humility, suffering and mercy.
Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.
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