By Ruth Burke
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.” Isaiah 53:3 CSB
There have been times when I felt despised and rejected. One recent incident occurred at an urgent care center. I had taken my youngest daughter in on a Sunday afternoon for a suspected ear infection. The doctor refused to see us and instead saw every other (white) patient who arrived with and after us. When I left after waiting nearly two hours, we were the only patient in the treatment area and had been for some time. I tried to make eye contact with the doctor but he refused to look at me. I felt humiliated and hurt, not to mention upset because I would have liked my daughter to have received medical attention.
When these incidents happen, I often feel that if I had the choice, I would not choose this treatment. I would choose a life of privilege. I would choose to have more money and more social status than I currently enjoy. I would choose a life where people didn’t treat me or my family members differently because of our appearance. I did not get to choose where I was born or what I look like, yet Christ, although He had a choice, chose to be born into the bottom of His society.
Christ, the eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords, deserving of all praise, honor and glory, who could have chosen to be born into any family, did not choose to be born into privilege. Instead, He chose to be born into a poor family. Even the circumstances of His birth were lowly –after He was born, He was placed into a manger – a trough out of which animals ate. His first visitors were shepherds, not people of rank or prestige. His hometown, Nazareth was not esteemed. When Phillip, a disciple of Jesus, went to tell Nathanael about the Christ Nathanael’s response was, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:45)!
The Scriptures say Jesus was despised and rejected while He was on earth, a man of sorrow (Isaiah 53:3). Christ can empathize with our suffering. Indeed, He chose to suffer. And not just suffer because of lack of money, or family of origin, or birthplace, but ultimately, to suffer on the cross for the sins of the very people who rejected Him and nailed Him there. And while on the cross He prayed for forgiveness for those who rejected him.
When I consider this I am encouraged. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords chose to be born poor and live a life devoid of the privilege He was due. He can understand those who are mistreated, rejected by others. When I pray I’m praying to a God who, sees, hears, and empathizes.
When I consider Christ’s birth I am also moved towards love and forgiveness. Christ emptied himself, became nothing, suffered, and died for a people (including me) who rejected Him and deserved death themselves. Yet, He was faithful to do the will of the Father and He prayed for those who persecuted Him while He was dying. He died for my sins, He by His grace forgives me. If this is the example my Lord set, if this is what He did for me, I should follow His example. I must forgive those who hurt me. I must seek to live a life that demonstrates God’s love. And I must tell of the forgiveness and love I have received from Him that motivates my own forgiveness and love for others.
This advent season may not be a happy one for you. In one way or another you may be suffering. May you find peace, rest, and hope in knowing that the God who suffered for you cares about what you are going through. May you find peace in His presence.