Read Isaiah 52 -- 57
In Today's Reading:
Christ to bear our grief, suffering, and sin; the Lord's everlasting love for Israel; everyone a sinner; a call to faith and repentance
God revealed to Isaiah that the Messiah, the King of kings, would first be My Servant . . . (then) He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high (Isaiah 52:13).
Jesus first came as the Servant (of God), as the Suffering Savior; but He will soon return highly exalted and extolled as the King of kings. The Jews of the first century were looking for a warrior-king, like David, to deliver them from the oppression of Rome. But Isaiah foretold: He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him (53:2). During the time of Jesus the religious leaders' only concern was for a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman government. But their greater need was to be in subjection to the Word of God and this they refused to do.
Dry ground illustrates the spiritual condition of the religious world without Jesus. He alone provides eternal life for all who confess their guilt, repent of their sins, and seek to obey His Word. That's why it's important to read all of it. Even though we fall short of what God desires us to be, Jesus continues to make intercession for us with the Father.
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows (53:4). This means emotional and spiritual, as well as physical needs of every kind. Although Isaiah was prophesying about the future, he wrote it as an already completed and established fact — the Messiah was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed (made whole) (53:5). His death on the cross provided the means to end the enmity between sinful man and the Righteous Holy Creator God. This means that all repentant believers, Jew and Gentile alike, receive eternal life and become acceptable to Him through the death of the sinless Son of God when they receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. There is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). None other Name makes it clear that all other gods are false and cannot save anyone.
We should praise Jesus daily for Who He really is — the Great God of Creation and the Savior Who will soon return to rule the world. Jesus of Nazareth is KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16)
Christ Revealed:
As the One Who was rejected by His own people (see Isaiah 53:3; compare Luke 23:18; John 1:11); remained silent when He was falsely accused (see Isaiah 53:7; Mark 15:3-5); was buried with the rich (see Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60); and was crucified with sinners (see Isaiah 53:12; Mark 15:27-28).
Word Studies:
52:1 uncircumcised = heathen; 52:10 made bare His holy arm = revealed His power; 52:12 rereward = rear guard; 52:14 visage = appearance; 53:2 comeliness = beauty, splendor; 57:4 sport = ridicule; 57:17 frowardly = rebelliously.
Prayer Needs:
BP Staff: Rita Guerra · Pray for Chris Holland and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on KXEN-AM, Mitchell IL · Government Official: Sen. Tim Hutchinson (AR) · Country: Myanmar (formerly Burma) (48 million) in Southeast Asia · Major languages: Burmese and ethnic languages · Limited religious freedom · 87% Buddhist; 5% Protestant; 4% Muslim; 3% spirit worship, Hindu, and other Asian religions; 1% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Realize that, without the Holy Spirit, you are insufficient (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Optional Reading: I Peter 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 5:9