As we head into this Christmas season we are forced to think of Christ and the circumstances surrounding His birth. He was born to a young couple who traveled miles to find themselves giving birth to their son in a barn full of animals.....not exactly the way we imagine a king being born. His family was not rich. He didn't live in a castle with servants providing His every need. No, our Savior and King was overlooked, he fell short of being a king in societies eyes. He was not popular for His good looks, for the money he made, the sport he played or the movie he starred in. Jesus was misjudged by the very people He lived and died for. Our King was tested and rejected yet He still loved. His strength was shown through His humility, suffering and mercy. Yes, He was greatly misunderstood. Now many many years later we read the stories of His amazing works. We see the pain He endured to save us from our sin. We thank Him for His love and mercy poured out unto us.
Isaiah 53
The Message (MSG)
53 Who believes what we’ve heard and seen?
Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this?
Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this?
2-6 The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.
7-9 He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn’t say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he’d never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn’t true.
but he didn’t say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he’d never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn’t true.
10 Still, it’s what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.
11-12 Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many “righteous ones,”
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I’ll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn’t flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep.
he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many “righteous ones,”
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I’ll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn’t flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep.
How true that God works in His own way! God's thoughts are not our thoughts and the way He works is not the way we would have it done. But, His work was completed and His son became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. The way He went about it makes no sense to us but the beauty in it from beginning to end is something that will live in my heart for ever. I cry when I read this chapter from Isaiah. It is absolutely beautiful what Jesus did for a world of people who just didn't "get it". It is so amazing the love He has for us!
Father God, I never want to take for granted the sacrifice that was made for me. I never want to overlook the pain and suffering my King experienced in order to save me from going to hell. Father I take you seriously. I believe in You and Who you are. I am nothing without you in my life. My Jesus died for me! He is happy He is satisfied with the pain he endured because He loves me and I have been set free. I praise Your name above all and promise this day to Honor You in all my works and daily endeavors. I will share You with the world because Your story is the reason that I have hope and purpose for living.
Amen and amen!
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