God Knows, Isaiah 53:10-12
“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain” (v 10). We can hardly read the sentence. We search for a way to explain the words and the image, and the God. Jesus’ physical, emotional, and spiritual pain is described in this passage as anguish.
Pain and anguish are familiar words to many people.They experience anguish in our world and, often, the suffering is private and unknown to others. On the cross, Jesus’ anguish was on display for all to see. Indeed, God sees anguish wherever it exists. Those in physical anguish and mental torment are not alone. God the Creator sees the anguish; Jesus has experienced the anguish. What those who suffer in private must know is this, “God knows.” For many, it is true that only God knows.
Yet in this passage there is “light” (v 11). Jesus bore our sin and experienced our pain. He knows. Pain becomes a spiritual matter.
Only God Knows
Only God knows
The pain of nails in hands and feet.
Only God knows
The pain of bending neck and knees.
Only God knows
The pain of nails that will not cease.
Only God knows;
God the Parent, God the Child.
Only God knows
This pain that’s running wild.
Only God knows
The pain beyond the cries.
Only God knows
The pain through which I hear and see.
Only God knows;
God the Parent, God the Child.
Only God knows
The pain of arms outstretched.
Only God knows
The pain in every breath.
Only God knows
This pain that’s sacrament and prayer.
Only God knows;
God the Parent, God the Child.
Through our pain we pray and sense Your presence.
Help us know and respect the pain of others.
A word about the series
The Lenten season has always inspired many people to create everything from poems, art and music to a completely new direction in their lives. This Lenten season Tabernacle will be exploring many of those creations in the hope of inspiring you to compose in a medium that is natural for you. The paintings in the Sanctuary are of the Biblical Stations of the Cross. The artist, Grieg Leach, completed them in 2010. They will help us to visualize the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. In addition to the paintings there is a Lenten devotional booklet, Return to Me, which is available in print or online. The Stations of the Cross also inspired these devotions, written by Terry York of Baylor University. Living with these two bodies of artistic expression based on the Biblical Stations of the Cross throughout the season of Lent should help us as we seek to return our lives to God by walking with Jesus though his final days.
Pray, read, think and return to God.
All scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible.
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