May the mumbling commence!
I am thankful. I am thankful for what Jesus has done for me…
for you… for us. It was prophesied
hundreds of years earlier by Isaiah.
Read most of Isaiah chapter fifty-three:
My
servant grew up in the Lord's
presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile
ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing
to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows,
acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought
his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded
and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that
we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left
God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord
laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
He was oppressed
and treated harshly, yet he never
said a word. He was led as a lamb to
the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent
before the shearers, he did not open
his mouth. From prison and trial they
led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins – that he
was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never
deceived anyone. But he was buried like
a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.
But it was the Lord's good plan to
crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering
for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long
life, and the Lord's plan will
prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by
his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my
righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for
he will bear all their sins. I
will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed
himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for
sinners. (Verses 2-12)
It’s difficult not to see the life
of Jesus in this passage. Jesus was
despised because he did not bring the redemption that was desired – a political
and military Messiah. God had bigger
fish to fry than the Romans. God was
defeating our sins. God was taking our
punishment.
Because of this, death is dead. Because of this, we have peace. Because of this, we are healed. Alleluia!
Praise the Lord. Read from
Revelation chapter twenty-one:
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his
people! He will live with them, and they
will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove
all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its
evils are gone forever." (Verses 3-4)
Rest in peace, old life. Rest in peace, old ways. Celebrate new life without sorrow or pain or
tears. Kiss evil good bye.
Now that’s Good News!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
No comments:
Post a Comment