The Man of Sorrows

IN BOSTON, a young father weeps. He has just been informed by doctors that his newborn son has no eyes and is hopelessly deformed -- why? In West Virginia, a coal mine experiences a tremendous underground explosion. Mothers, wives and children gather near the entrance with broken hearts as the grim truth is announced that their loved ones are dead and entombed hundreds of feet below the surface of the earth -- why? In California, a young, intelligent girl, with a beaming personality and prospects for a bright future, lies in a hospital overcome with sorrow, her body ravaged with cancer, her hopes dashed to the ground and death staring her in the face -- why?

The question is often asked: "If there is a God in heaven, why does He allow such things to happen? Why is there so much sorrow?" Many are of the opinion that there is no God because of the sorrows that have befallen the human race. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. Such thinking only evidences confusion of mind regarding divine things. Is there an answer? Yes, there certainly is! The Creator of the human race has the answer in His Word, the Holy Bible!

THE CAUSE OF IT ALL

God's intention for mankind was pleasure, not sorrow. "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed" (Genesis 2:7,8). "Eden" means "pleasure."

God intended man to enjoy all the benefits of the "pleasure garden," to live in communion with God and to glorify Him. We certainly don't see that happy condition existing today, do we? What happened? The answer is very simple! Man sinned against God by disobeying, thus ruining himself and bringing all humans who were to follow him under the power, control and bondage of sin. God states it this way; "They are all under sin" (Romans 3:9). "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). Instead of blaming God for all the misery and sorrow we endure, we should rightly blame our ancient ancestor, Adam. As soon as our first parents (Adam and Eve) sinned, sorrow entered the scene. Eve's firstborn turned out to be a murderer, murdering his godly brother. What sorrow that mother and father must have experienced on that occasion (Genesis chapter 4). Was there a God? There certainly was, but sin was now in control, motivating the minds of men. God reveals the hidden motivating power behind the human race -- "Ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince (the devil) of the power of the
air (the devil's demons), the spirit (their strong force) that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).

THE CURE

Is there a remedy for this whole situation of sin, sorrow and death? Thank God there is! In order to save men from the dominion, power and penalty of their sin, our loving God has provided the only means of cleansing and deliverance. His holy government demanded that precious blood be shed to effectively cleanse the sinner from all his sin (I John 1:7), to redeem him from going to hell, and to bring him near to God (Ephesians 1:7; 2:13). No mortal could achieve this, no animal sacrifice would do -- something infinitely greater was needed!

To accomplish redemption, "The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" (I John 4:14). Leaving the joys and splendor of heaven, He was born of a virgin in a manger (Luke 2:7). How lovely was the holy life He lived while here. He brought nothing but infinite delight and pleasure to His Father's heart; yet, He who created all things was "despised and rejected of men; a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3).

Why was the Saviour sorrowful? Because of us! With tender heart He looked upon death and the ruin of humanity because of sin and He wept (John 11:35). He wept over man's rejection of Him as their Saviour (Luke 19:41). Isaiah speaks of the tender compassion of His ministry, "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows" (Isa. 53:4). Thus we see the Lord's grief and sympathy at the misery around Him. As He saw the multitudes as sheep having no shepherd, "He was moved with compassion on them" (Matthew 9:36). Even now, whatever your sorrows are -- He fully knows and cares!

As preparation was made for His death, He said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death" (Mark 14:34). Led to Calvary, the sinless Man of Sorrows was nailed to a cross to shed His blood for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28).

Lord Jesus! Man of sorrows! Thou hast died for me!
Bearing in Thy body my sins upon the tree,
Now my soul is joyful. the peace of God is mine!
Because I've trusted Thee, Lord, Thou Son of God divine!

Friend, there is one good thing to be sorrowful over and that is -- what your sins have done to Christ. Let me apply a verse. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (II Corinthians 7:10). You may sorrow over all your calamities, but that sorrow only ends in death. Sorrowing over one's sins brings the soul to repentance. Christ twice warns, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5). Would you like to be saved from the penalty of your sin, which is hell fire? Do you desire an eternal home in heaven? Then repent of your sins and look to the Man of Sorrows who died for you and who now lives in heaven in resurrection power. Trust Him and claim God's promise, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). Then your sorrow will be turned into joy.

"Man of sorrows!" what a name, for the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! what a Saviour!

ROBERT E. SURGENOR, Evangelist