Weekend Message/Devotion
Isaiah 53:4-12
October 21, 2018
Old Testament Clear Gospel Message
It just doesn’t get much clearer than this. The prophet Isaiah tells us the exact truth of the gospel message long before the physical arrival of Christ. How ever could that be? This is a divine prophecy and there just cannot be any other explanation.
What makes this writing so profound (at least for me) is that it was written somewhere between 739 and 681 B.C.
We all know that B.C. represents that historical time BEFORE CHRIST. I just read something the other day that really made an impact about that designation. Jesus ALWAYS was – from the very beginning of time. The B.C. designation is the indication of the time before Christ appeared in the flesh. This is a very important fact to maintain in our thinking and studies.
So, Isaiah relates to us in accurate terms the prophecy of the coming Messiah and divine purpose of His life and sacrifice. Let’s break that down a little. We know good and well that Jesus was rejected and even taunted by multitudes, during His life on earth. For those who have suffered rejection, the realization of deep and lasting pain is something that lingers forever. We do come to accept the love of God and overcome but the scars most often remain. Am I right?
As we read into this prophetic writing, Isaiah wastes no time telling us about the pain and suffering of Our Lord.
“Smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities” verses 4 and 5.
By God? God orchestrated this pain and suffering on His Only Son? Why?
I’m glad you asked. The answer lies in verses 5 and 6: “But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
Here it is, just as plain as day: Jesus bore the mental and physical pain as the offering and atonement for my sins, your sins and the sins of all mankind, for all time.
Isaiah says in verse 10 that it “Pleased the Lord to bruise Him”. In verse 11: “He shall see the labor of His soul and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities.”
The saddest thing about this sacrifice and this suffering, which was obediently received by Our Lord, as the atonement for the sins of all mankind is the rejection of Christ that perpetuates, even today.
Don’t you find it incredibly amazing that Isaiah could relate all of this, centuries before it occurred? Can you conjure up any explanation besides the divine anointing of the message by the Almighty God. I cannot!
Folks, if there was ever a true revelation of the truth of the gospel, it is right here.
Today the rejection of Christ, rejection of the gospel, rejection of all biblical truth comes from not having heard the truth; from some stubborn block, born of the lies from the devil and the pride that follows; and from false teachings.
Knowing this is exactly why WE are called to share the gospel truth from the pulpit, in the home, in the streets and wherever God places us. We is correct! Sharing testimonies, evangelizing and setting the example is what we are ALL called to do.
Can you not see that “Loving and Serving God by Loving and Serving your fellow man" is perhaps one of the very best means of introducing gospel truth?
Let us pray.
I humbly and sincerely ask for your prayers!
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