September 1, 1939. The international framework put in place after World War II being attacked. The History Channel in real time. I’m sad, angry, and powerless. “O Lord! O Lord, my Lord” (Psalm 140:6-7).
The Word comes to me this morning through a work of art. On a wall near my home office is a copy of a painting by 16th century artist Sebald Beham. It’s titled “Der Schmerzensmann,” “the Man of Sorrows.” That, of course, comes from Isaiah 53:3. “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Many artists have depicted “the Man of Sorrows,” Jesus Christ in His passion and death, but this Beham work is different. We see Jesus raised from the dead. The empty cross is in the background but before us is Christ, sitting on a huge stone. Perhaps the stone rolled away from the tomb? Behind our Lord’s head are rays of glory. He is now, as we learn from the catechism, in His “State of Exaltation.” But how does the artist present the now risen Christ? His head in His hand, downcast, obviously still in grief.
While the West rallies, we have not done all that we could. In the moment of physical confrontation, each Ukrainian faces the evil alone. We are at the borders, but on the safe side. How shall interpret this theologically? The exalted Christ is still a Man of Sorrows, feeling our sorrows. “He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?” (Psalm 94:9). Yes, Christ “has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him” (1 Peter 3:22), but true God, He remains true man. He feels for us. “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).
He is the Man of OUR sorrows who promises, “Surely, I am coming soon.” “Our judge is at the gate; / The judge who comes in mercy, The judge comes in might / To put an end to evil / And diadem the right” “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Lutheran Service Book, 513:1; Revelation 22:20).
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