The Sorrows of Spurgeon and the Man of Sorrows

Isaiah 53 and the Sorrowful Journey

In this Article, we’ll reflect on sorrow—not only through the life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon but ultimately through the life and work of the “Man of Sorrows,” Jesus Christ.

Though Spurgeon’s life was marked by many trials, I will focus on two pivotal events that shaped his ministry and revealed his reliance on Christ.

The Fire at Surrey Gardens Music Hall

On October 19, 1856, a 22-year-old Charles Spurgeon was preaching to a crowd of 12,000 at Surrey Gardens Music Hall. This young preacher had gained widespread acclaim, drawing crowds too large for most venues in London.

During the sermon, chaos erupted. Shouts of “fire” came from the back of the hall, causing a stampede. Seven people were trampled to death, and 28 were injured. Spurgeon later discovered this was a malicious act orchestrated by enemies of the Gospel to ruin his reputation.

Spurgeon recalled in his autobiography:

“My mind lay, like a wreck upon the sand, incapable of its usual motion… My Bible, once my daily food, was but a hand to lift the sluices of my woe.”

The anguish was so great that his wife, Susannah, feared he would never preach again.

The Downgrade Controversy

In 1887, Spurgeon faced another trial when he took a bold stand against the theological compromises infiltrating the Baptist Union. Through his publication, The Sword and the Trowel, he wrote an article titled “Another Word on the Downgrade,” in which he lamented the state of the church:

“A new religion has been initiated, which is no more Christianity than chalk is cheese… The Atonement is scouted, the inspiration of Scripture is derided, the Holy Spirit is degraded into an influence, and the punishment of sin is turned into fiction.”

The controversy cost him dearly. He lost friends, students, and even his brother James, who supported the Union’s compromised doctrinal statement. Yet, Spurgeon stood firm, trusting God amidst the pain.

The Man of Sorrows

Spurgeon once said, “Hast thou never thought that none can be like the Man of Sorrows unless they have sorrows too?” This reflection turns our gaze to Christ, the ultimate example of suffering.

Isaiah 53:3 calls Jesus the “Man of Sorrows,” a title that reveals the depth of His grief and the purpose behind it:

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

Jesus knew sorrow intimately. He left the perfection of heaven to take on human flesh, experiencing the frailty and suffering of our fallen world. Spurgeon described Him as knowing “sorrows of all kinds and degrees,” from physical pain to spiritual anguish. Yet He endured all of it willingly, out of love for sinners.

The Purpose of Christ’s Suffering

Isaiah makes clear the reason for Christ’s grief:

He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.
He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.
His chastisement brought us peace, and by His wounds, we are healed.

Spurgeon captured this truth beautifully:

“For every pang of sorrow laid upon Christ, we receive blessing and benefit.”

Learning from Spurgeon and Christ

Spurgeon’s life mirrors the example of Christ’s suffering. Reflecting on his trials, he declared:

“I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me against the Rock of Ages.”

Unlike us, who endure grief involuntarily, Christ chose His path of sorrow. Spurgeon reminded his congregation:

“He could have returned in an instant to the royalties of Heaven… But He would not. He remained to the end, out of love for us, grief’s acquaintance.”

Rejoicing in the Man of Sorrows

Isaiah 53 assures us that in Christ, the “Man of Sorrows,” we find a Savior who understands, redeems, and carries us through every trial. Whatever sorrow you face, take heart:

Christ’s grief bore your grief.
His suffering secured your salvation.
His wounds brought you healing.

Let us, like Spurgeon, find comfort in the waves that draw us to the Rock of Ages and rejoice in the immeasurable love of the One who bore all our sorrows.