ADVENT DEVOTIONAL | Day 16 | The Suffering Savior

READ
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5

REFLECT
Christmas lights and fun activities are some of the most enjoyable parts of this season. Head to Union Square and you can appreciate beautiful Christmas decorations, sip on hot chocolate, and go ice skating. However, if you walk a few blocks away from Union Square, you will find yourself in darkness. This darkness comes not just from a lack of Christmas lights, but from the brokenness and pain in our world.
 
This is the juxtaposition of Christmas. During this time of year, we celebrate the fact that God came near to us as a baby born in Bethlehem, but we’re also reminded that this baby was born for a purpose. Jesus was born not only to come near to us, but to actually take our place in death and bear our griefs and sorrows.

Isaiah 53 is one of the clearest promises from the Old Testament of what the Promised One would experience on our behalf. The Suffering Savior would be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. And by bearing our griefs and sorrows, He would bring salvation and healing to all who trust in Him.

So this Christmas, whether you are getting to enjoy the season, or you are face-to-face with the pain of living in a fallen world, remember the Savior who suffered so that we might have peace, died so that we might have life, and will one day return to fully heal this hurting world.

RESPOND
Reflect on the joy of Christmas and the pain in our world. Consider how Jesus, our Suffering Savior, offers hope and healing.

Take a moment to pray, asking God to lead you to share His love and compassion with those in darkness this season.