We are familiar with the title “Man of Sorrows” from Isaiah 53:3. We can sometimes limit this suffering to his arrest, torture and death on the cross. The hymn, “Man of sorrows,” focuses on this vital and central aspect of Jesus’ suffering. Yet, his suffering began with his coming and continued throughout his life.
This is a comfort and encouragement to us whatever our situation. I found these words from JC Ryle to be helpful.
Observe how the Lord Jesus was “a man of sorrows” even from His infancy. Trouble awaits Him as soon as He enters into the world. His life is in danger from Herod’s hatred. His mother and Joseph are obliged to take Him away by night, and “flee into Egypt.” It was only a type and figure of all His experience upon earth. The waves of humiliation began to beat over Him, even when He was a sucking child.
The Lord Jesus is just the Saviour that the suffering and sorrowful need. He knows well what we mean, when we tell Him in prayer of our troubles. He can sympathize with us, when we cry to Him under cruel persecution. Let us keep nothing back from Him. Let us make Him our bosom friend. Let us pour out our hearts before Him. He has had great experience of affliction. (J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Matthew (New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1860), 15.)