“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Isaiah 53:3 KJV

There is a path marked out in the city of Jerusalem that is said to be the route on which the Roman soldiers led Jesus from the Judgment Hall to Golgotha. It is called the Via Dolorosa— “The Way of Sorrows.”

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.” Mark 9:2 NIV

We like the peaks in our lives. We dread the valleys.

“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility… Daniel 1:3,6,7 NIV

My name is me!

“Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” Mark 1:38,39 NIV

To some, the idea of demon possession is hilarious—to others, horrific.

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” Eph 6:14 NIV

In 1858, the sleeve of Pastor Tyng’s gown was caught in a machine for shelling corn, being pulled by his mule. His arm was mangled, then amputated. He died the next week. As he was dying, he was asked what message he wanted to give to his people.

“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.” Jonah 3:10, 4:1 NIV

The only God, the holy God, likes us. But we are not like him.