"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:4)
There have been some Jews whom I have met who believe Isaiah 53 refers to Israel as a people. Indeed, it may have some application to the Jewish People as a foretype or foreshadow of Jesus, but there is no doubt in me that the text is speaking of "the suffering Messiah." Who else could fulfill such a cosmic struggle for humanity?
The literal words for, "griefs," and, "sorrows," are quite specific in the Hebrew, i.e., "pains," and, "sickness." In response to a question of mine, an Old Testament professor once told me that the Jews don't speak in abstract language. The Hebrew in our text is very specific. Jesus took our pains and sickness, which are common "housemates" of grief and sorrow. Jesus took them, He took them, as Peter said of our sins, "Who bore our sins in His own body on the tree." Everything that is out to destroy you and me Jesus destroyed in His Cross, in His Blood, in His death, in His resurrection. Why do we accept as inevitable so many of life's attacks when the Word of God declares that Jesus took them for us? It is indeed one of the epic battles of faith and belief.
Are you suffering griefs, sorrows, pains, sickness? Join me today; let us, "press on, that we may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of [us]." Isaiah 53:3 says that Jesus was, "a man of sorrows" (our sorrows) and acquainted with grief," and it was all for you and me, for all humanity. I have a renewed faith today which comes from these Words of God. Why do we allow the Enemy of our souls to put on us that which Jesus Christ has taken off? He bore so much of what we accept as inevitable. Let us covenant together to renew the battle. Do not limit this great commitment to some limited religious realm. Jesus has done and is doing so much more for us than most can imagine and believe for. Let's change that--------- starting today!
Father, in Jesus' Name, You have done and do so much that I have not received. I repent and press in. Amen.
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Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
There have been some Jews whom I have met who believe Isaiah 53 refers to Israel as a people. Indeed, it may have some application to the Jewish People as a foretype or foreshadow of Jesus, but there is no doubt in me that the text is speaking of "the suffering Messiah." Who else could fulfill such a cosmic struggle for humanity?
The literal words for, "griefs," and, "sorrows," are quite specific in the Hebrew, i.e., "pains," and, "sickness." In response to a question of mine, an Old Testament professor once told me that the Jews don't speak in abstract language. The Hebrew in our text is very specific. Jesus took our pains and sickness, which are common "housemates" of grief and sorrow. Jesus took them, He took them, as Peter said of our sins, "Who bore our sins in His own body on the tree." Everything that is out to destroy you and me Jesus destroyed in His Cross, in His Blood, in His death, in His resurrection. Why do we accept as inevitable so many of life's attacks when the Word of God declares that Jesus took them for us? It is indeed one of the epic battles of faith and belief.
Are you suffering griefs, sorrows, pains, sickness? Join me today; let us, "press on, that we may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of [us]." Isaiah 53:3 says that Jesus was, "a man of sorrows" (our sorrows) and acquainted with grief," and it was all for you and me, for all humanity. I have a renewed faith today which comes from these Words of God. Why do we allow the Enemy of our souls to put on us that which Jesus Christ has taken off? He bore so much of what we accept as inevitable. Let us covenant together to renew the battle. Do not limit this great commitment to some limited religious realm. Jesus has done and is doing so much more for us than most can imagine and believe for. Let's change that--------- starting today!
Father, in Jesus' Name, You have done and do so much that I have not received. I repent and press in. Amen.
****************
Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
