“…when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her…That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed ALL who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “HE TOOK OUR ILLNESSES AND BORE OUR DISEASES.” (Matt. 8:14-17)
Let’s look at what Isaiah said about the tremendous suffering Jesus experienced for us:
“He was despised and rejected by people. He was a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering. He was despised like one from whom people turn their faces, and we didn’t consider him to be worth anything. HE CERTAINLY HAS TAKEN UPON HIMSELF OUR SUFFERING AND CARRIED OUR SORROWS, but we thought that God had wounded him, beat him, and punished him. He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and WE RECEIVED HEALING FROM HIS WOUNDS.” (Isaiah 53:3-5 GW)
All because of man’s choice to disobey God and do his own thing, passing the disease of sin to all of mankind. When Jesus died on the cross He experienced ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING we would ever encounter. Why?
“…he had to become like his brothers and sisters so that he could be merciful. He became like them so that he could serve as a faithful chief priest in God’s presence and make peace with God for their sins. Because Jesus experienced temptation WHEN HE SUFFERED, he is able to help others when they are tempted.” (Heb. 2:17-18)
Just remember Jesus Christ, God the Son, is omniscient (having complete and unlimited knowledge). He did not have to suffer so He would know what it was like but He suffered SO WE WOULD KNOW that He experience, by “TAKING UPON HIMSELF OUR SUFFERING” and therefore, knew what all this sin and suffering was about.
That, my friends, is love!!!
Be blessed today knowing that Jesus “knows” all about it…Bill Stockham