The ancient prophet Isaiah described a most unusual picture of a man, a suffering servant, who would be offered up as a literal sacrifice, an offering for guilt to God Almighty. The 53rd chapter of Isaiah records a poignant picture of the events that would mark the life, servant spirit and final moments of Jesus, a man from Nazareth, our Savior and Redeemer, the Christ.
This Easter week which culminates in Resurrection Sunday, may you never forget what was done for you in tears, pain and blood to free you from the toil of sin.
Jesus made the way... paved the road and built the bridge to God the Father by the Cross.
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of all mankind, was whipped, beaten and nailed to the cross for our sins. He gave up his life freely and by his blood alone paid an unimaginable price for the sins of humanity.
Jesus didn't come as a king or a mighty warrior, but as a humble servant and teacher. He was then on the cross and is today in heavenly glory... our gateway to an eternal and everlasting relationship with the Living God.
We are all sinners in need of the forgiveness that is extended to us through the simple belief that God loves us and sent His one and only Son to die in our place on the cross, as payment for all the sin of humanity. By this selfless act of love... Jesus in his pure and undefiled sacrifice... restored man to God.
Remember Him today, this week and throughout the years to come. Live your life in harmony with His will and purpose. May you have a joyous Easter as you celebrate and remember the glory that Jesus, the Christ has purchased for you!
