A Prayer in Praise of Jesus—Beloved of the Father, Friend of the Broken

     Many followed him [Jesus], and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” Matt. 12:15–21

     Dear Lord Jesus, I’m greatly moved today as I ponder your compassionate heart for the broken and suffering. Surely there’s no Savior like you: entering, not running from our chaos; taking, not despising our shame; shouldering, not ignoring our burdens. “Bruised reeds” and “smoldering wicks” love your appearing. Justice will be fully victorious because you have been the willing Sufferer.

     For sure, most gloriously sure, your sufferings as our sin-bearer are over, done, complete! As the Lamb of God, you offered yourself once and for all upon the cross. No additional sacrifice for our sin remains to be offered—none. I no longer fear being judged by God for my sin, for you were judged in our place. Your perfect love continues to drive away all fear of punishment, anxiety about Judgment Day, and uncertainty about eternity. I boast and rest in your sufferings for me, Lord Jesus, and I also shout several hearty, “Hallelujahs!”

     But I also cry out, “Help me, Lord Jesus—free me, lead me.” Take me with you into the sufferings of friends and family; further into the groans of my own heart, deeper into the injustices and brokenness of my community.

     Like most, I have an aversion to pain and suffering. Like many, I’d love the Christian life to be an antidote for all discomfort and distress. Like some, I get overwhelmed and overtaxed by the sufferings of others.

     Here’s our peace, our consolation, our ballast, Jesus: you’re not calling us to suffer for you but to suffer with you, and that makes all the difference in the world. We’re called into the fellowship of your sufferings, not into the isolation of our sufferings. Your tear-wiping hand comes to us and reaches through us.

     You’ll never lead us into hard places where you’re not present. You’ll never ask us to do anything all by ourselves. You’ll never leave us or forsake us, Jesus. You’ll never give us more than we can endure. You’ll never give us less than sufficient grace.

     You will lead justice to victory, and in your name all the nations will put their hope. You are beloved of the Father and we are beloved of you. What privilege, joy and comfort. So very Amen we pray, in your kind and compassionate name.

Scotty Smith

Pastor for Preaching

Christ Community Church

1215 Hillsboro Rd.

Franklin, TN  37069

615-468-2230

It's good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9