Jesus Suffered Mentally, Too (Number 1)

Even the Old Testament told of the emotional sufferings of Jesus that were to come. How would you feel if the people around you were talking behind your back while you were planning to do something that would show how you loved them?

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely, he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-6

Jesus suffered so many mental crucifixions before his devastating physical one. These had to hurt because he knew all these people as friends and acquaintances. How would you like it if you walked into school or work and those around you hid their faces so they wouldn’t see you because they despised you? Today we see this somewhat-- some political figures, some famous people and some regular citizens that stand by Jesus are considered stricken by God as Jesus was. This type of behavior put a lot of stress and sadness upon Jesus as it does people today.

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. But not during the Feast, or there may be a riot among the people.  Matthew 26:3

I have heard of people plotting devious plans but have never had anyone plot against me. And we know that Jesus knew what the priests were doing. How sad this must have made Jesus.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant, “Why this waste?” Matthew 26:8

The disciples, (his especially chosen men), felt it was a waste the woman poured the expensive perfume on him. His friends who had been with him didn’t recognize he was our Christ. So, they picked on her and Jesus had to explain that it was a good thing she was doing for him and that her belief was very strong.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as I read the actions of people who knew Jesus, my heart hurts as I think of the mental emotional pain Jesus was feeling even before he was handed over to the authorities whom beat him physically. He had done no wrong and they all knew it. Oh Lord, I can’t thank you enough for what your son did for me. Amen

Sandra Hilsabeck