DAY 20 | Man of Sorrows

He was despised and rejected by people. He was an Ish Mach’ovot (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.
Isaiah 53:3

photography by Pelly Benassi / calligraphy by Rita Ip

MUSIC

PRAYER

Man of Sorrows, I adore You. You left the heavenly splendor and died on the cross to show mankind what love is.

Thank You for Your love and undeserved suffering. You were rejected, accused, insulted, beaten, and crucified for undeserving ones like me.

Forgive me when I am numb to Your excruciating death on the cross and when my hardened heart does not respond to Your love and grace.

You know my weakness. You know how much I prefer an easy and comfortable life. Lord, please change my heart. I will take up my cross and share in Your suffering. Help me see the eternal purpose behind the pain.

Because You are the Man of Sorrows, I declare I will arm myself with the same attitude You had and be ready to suffer and endure hardship for You.

A few facts…

Ish Mach’ovot is also transliterated as Ish Makh’ovot. Mach’ovot comes from the word maḵ'ōḇ, meaning pains, grief, and sorrow, and referring to both physical and emotional suffering
Ish Mach’ovot is usually translated as “man of sorrows”, “man of suffering”, and also “man of pains” in some translations.
The title “man of sorrows” comes from a Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53. The prophet Isaiah wrote about a suffering servant, it is a vivid depiction of Christ’s suffering.

Exercise 1:

TWO-WAY JOURNALING

Find a quiet space where you can sit and write comfortably and undisturbed. Relax your neck, shoulders, and jaws.

Smile and breathe. Smile, His love for you makes you worthy. Inhale slowly through your nose, as you focus your attention on His sacrificial love. He suffered and endured every test and temptation so that he can help you every time you pass through the ordeals of life (Hebrews 2:18 TPT). Hold your breath for a few seconds, acknowledging He always understands and bears your pain. Exhale a bit longer than you inhale, and release all your sorrows at the cross.

Today, we will write to the Man of Sorrows. Unlike taking communion at church, which is a communal experience of meditating on His sacrifice, and is usually guided by a leader, it’s just you and Him in this “secret place” now. What would you like to tell or ask the One who died for you? Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you as you write down your dialogue with Him.

[Part 1]
Dear Man of Sorrows, …
[Part 2]
Dear (your name), …

• Ask Jesus to walk you through the path to the cross

• Tell Him your thoughts and feelings toward the way He sacrificed for you. Again, be truthful rather than nice

• If you feel numb to Him and His sacrificial love, consider taking this opportunity to address it

• If you feel led to process your own sorrows today, give yourself permission to do so. He never invalidates or trivializes your pain by comparing your pain with His

Check out Appendix 2 for more.

Exercise 2:

DECLARATION

He is the Man of Sorrows, familiar with pain and suffering. How does this nature of Him relate to the way you live today? In your journal, write a simple declaration that is relevant to you.

Because You are the Man of Sorrows, I declare I can / I will / I am…

Read your declaration out loud, and let Him and yourself hear those words again and again. Feel it deep within you, and let it take root in your heart and mind.

This completes Day 20 of HE, and we are two-thirds of the way through our journey. I truly look forward to many more heart-to-heart encounters with Him. Today, I pray that you will recognize that YOU are “the joy that was set before Him”, for which He endured the cross (Hebrew 12:2).