It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Week 3 — Problems Placed On Us and Problems Within Us

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. — Psalm 51:7 (King David)

God sees you. He hears you. ~ Lysa

Welcome to week three of the It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Online Bible Study with Lysa TerKeurst!

Purple is one of my favorite colors.

When I was a teenager my parents gave me tiny, tear-drop-shaped, amethyst earrings after my mentor suddenly died because they wanted to remind me that Jesus Himself is with me in my sadness.

Just as an aside: Have you ever wondered why purple symbolizes royalty (Mark 15:17, John 19:1-5)? In ancient days, purple was the rarest of dyes, the most expensive. It was pricey because purple dye could only be made from a small mollusk that came from the region of Tyre (modern day Lebanon) so it could only be afforded by wealthy people in power… Royalty.

In the Bible, the Tabernacle entrance was covered by a wide curtain blue on one end, red on the other, blending in the middle to purple. In the Temple, the veil that tore from top to bottom when Jesus said, “It is finished!” was blue at the top signifying deity and red at the bottom signifying humanity. The blending of colors now symbolizes Jesus Himself, the God-Man.

Isn’t it beautiful that God chose to use purple hyssop from the Old Testament all the way to the New Testament, among other reasons, to show that Jesus is the answer to all our pain and hardship.

Hyssop was the paintbrush of Passover. A representation of problems placed on us. ~ Lysa

When we suffer at the hands of others, it’s Jesus who rescues, saves, defends, and brings restitution.

When we suffer because of our own sin, it’s Jesus who covers us in His sacrifice, blots out the stain of guilt, and restores us to Himself.

Jesus would feel all the pain so He could, on the Cross, heal all the pain. ~ Lysa

Sin always separates (whether perpetrated against us or committed by us). And, Jesus is the answer. Beautiful, purple hyssop — the reflection of Jesus Himself — was used during Passover to protect the Israelites during oppression (sin against them), sung by King David as a psalm to be forgiven of his wrongdoing (sin he committed), and it was present at the Cross (the forgiveness of all sin). Hyssop represented suffering, more suffering, and Jesus’ suffering to ultimately end all suffering. How beautiful is that?

You cannot ever find healing for your pain if you’re always refusing to allow Jesus to deal with that pain. ~ Lysa

Jesus is with you in every teardrop. He is the solution. He is the answer. He will heal all of the pain.

Friend, if you’re weeping today, think of those tears as amethysts. Your tears don’t slip into the oblivion of your carpet. They are precious to the Lord.

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book. — Psalm 56:8

Amethyst tears. He is with you.

This week in your study:

1. Watch the video for session three on our study home page or live with other participants … Take notes in your study guide on pages 67-72.
2. Go through the study questions and activity with your group or on your own on pages 72-81.
3. Read It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Chapters 5-6 (And if you’re getting ahead: Chapters 7-8 for next week).
4. Grab your Bible and enjoy your personal study this week on pages 55-66.
5. Join the conversation about the study and get to know fellow participants in the private Facebook group!

Scriptures this Week

Genesis 50:20
Exodus 12:12-13
Exodus 12:21-23
Psalm 51:7
Leviticus 14:4
John 19: 28
Psalm 69:21
Mark 15:36

Prayer for the Week

Jesus, thank You for the purple thread of hyssop in the Scriptures. Thank You that from ancient days all the way to today, You are the answer to all suffering and pain, whether it’s done to us or we’ve caused it ourselves. Help us to offer every tear to You, to submit to Your leadership and Your loving hand of mercy. Thank You that You know suffering, You’ve experienced more pain than we can imagine, and we can trust You in our own hurt. We love you, Lord. Amen.