Feeling Sorry For Jesus? Luke 23:26-31

As Holy Week comes upon us, we pause and reflect upon the Man of Sorrows, Jesus Christ. We see His pain as He bears His cross and is aided with the help of Simon of Cyrene. We learn of the jeering and mockery that ensues along with the scourging and beating He took from Roman soldiers. The scene cannot be more pitiable for us to see. Jesus did so much to make our lives into what God demands of us. A heartfelt appreciation wells up thinking of what our Master did for us.

The contemporary song says, “Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.” We know it’s our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross on that Friday afternoon. And it is at this point where we are tempted. Tempted? Yes tempted. We are tempted to lament for Jesus that He suffered so much at cruel, violent hands. We wish it didn't have to be this way. We look at Jesus and pity Him.

Much of Christian art evokes this type of response. We see Jesus stumbling under the burden of the cross and feel somber. This is gruesome and it shouldn't have been! What stops us from going the whole way is that we know Jesus died for our sins according the will of His Father.

Jesus’ supporters at the cross were the women who were surrounding Him in public ministry. The disciples had fled. Some unnamed women are crying as they see Him in agony. They grieve over the mistreatment He receives from the soldiers. What changes everything though is Jesus’ response.

Think of it, Jesus is undergoing immense physical torture and castigated by people around Him, you would think He would appreciate some tears shed for His state. But Jesus is resolute that the Father’s plan must be done in accordance with the Scriptures. He says to the would-be supporters to not weep for Him but for themselves because of what is to come. If they are doing this to Jesus who is the life, what will happen to those who come after Him?

During Holy Week, Jesus is not looking for sympathy or your tears. He is not interested in you pitying Him or feeling sorry for the pain He undergoes. He suffered for us, not so that we can generate an emotional plea. He suffered for us to save us from sin. He did it to redeem sinners. He did it to reconcile the world to Himself. Jesus’ wisdom is to not weep for what He did for us that God-appointed week, but to weep over our own condition that looks to evade the cross that Christ calls us to that we might truly live. Follow Me.

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