In The midst of a warring, turbulent world, Isaiah was given a glorious insight into the coming days.
Gilbert Guffin stated “In this Redeemer, the prophet foresaw the breaking of the bondage which had fallen upon the people and the lifting of their yoke.”
As we examine this marvelous text, let us note some of the ways in which our Lord was “WONDERFUL.”
1.WONDERFUL: IN HIS CHARACTER
HIS CHARACTER WAS MATCHLESS
JESUS CHRIST DID NO SIN (I Peter 2:22) “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”
Jesus challenged people to “convince” Him of sin (John 8:46) “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?”
Though He “knew no sin” He was “made sin for us” (II Cor. 5:21) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Because he was tempted, “yet without sin” He can be a sympathetic High Priest, “touched with a feeling of our infirmities.” (Heb. 4:15) “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Jesus was a lamb without blemish (sin) (I Peter 1:18-19) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;” “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
OUR LORD’S CHARACTER WAS PERFECT
“Full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14)
Pilate found “no fault in him” (Jn 19:4)
Made our salvation perfect (Heb. 5:9)
2.WONDERFUL IN: HIS TEACHING
Jesus spoke with absolute authority (Jn. 7:46) “Never man spake like this man”
Matthew 7:28-29 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:” “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Unclean spirits obeyed Him (Mk 1:27)
Father gave Him “authority to execute judgment” (Jn. 5:27)
People were astonished at His doctrine (Mt 7:28)
His teaching was in parables (Mk 1:27)
Our position in Christ is to be determined by abiding in His “doctrine,” (i.e. teaching)
Christ’s teaching and manner of life exhibited absolute LOVE and COMPASSION
Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
Matthew 14:14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward the, and he healed their sick.”
And many other verses give example of Christ’s love and compassion for people
The teaching of Jesus assured ABSOLUTE FORGIVNESS (Matt 9:6) “The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins”
3.WONDERFUL IN: HIS MISSION
He came to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10)
Parable of the lost sheep (Mt 18:12; Lk 15:4)
His mission showed “compassion” for the multitude (Mt 9:36)
In many places, He called men to follow Him (Jn 1:43)
JESUS’ MINISTRY WAS ONE OF HEALING
It was a fulfillment of prophecy that He “took our infirmities and bare our sickness.” (Mt 8:17)
Much of His ministry was healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons
According to Scripture, Jesus meant for His healing ability to continue through His followers
(Hebrews 13:8) “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day and for ever.”
Healing is part and parcel of a believer’s ministry (Mk 16:16-18) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but the that believeth not shall be damned.” “And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues:” “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Healing is incorporated in the Atonement
I Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
The healing ministry of Messiah was prophesied by Malachi (Mal 4:2) “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”
Christians in the first few centuries of the church practiced faithfully a healing ministry based upon the teachings of Christ
Recent years have seen a decline in the belief in the healing abilities of God’s people
If Jesus Christ is “the same” (Heb. 13:8), His power and love are the same, then surely His purpose is the SAME!!
