Easter is just ahead, and I’m getting ready for it by memorizing parts of Isaiah 53 along with many others who are tracking with Revive Our Hearts’ Monthly Memory Plan. In case you’re not aware, this prophecy was written centuries before Jesus came to earth, and it foretells His death, burial, and even includes hints of His resurrection.
Beware. The portrait of Christ in Isaiah 53 can be surprisingly shocking.
Surely we wouldn’t have written the story this way! This “suffering servant” is not outwardly impressive (53:2); He knows well grief, sorrow, and suffering (53:4–5); He’s guiltless, yet He silently takes God’s absolute, holy judgment against the sin-debt of the world—including yours and mine (53:9, 4, 12).
He’s not the only one pictured in this passage. We’re there in verses 4–6, like foolish, helpless sheep—yet sheep who have a great Servant Shepherd:
Surely he has borne our griefs,
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted."But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed."All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
If you’re like me, spending even a few minutes in this passage raises a lot of questions. Questions like what does it mean that He has borne my griefs and carried my sorrows (53:4)? And how does this impact the way I grieve and respond to sorrow today?
I encourage you to ask God these questions (He’s the Author of the Book, after all), to meditate on the passage, and to reference commentaries. You can also tune in to Revive Our Hearts March 29–April 2 as Nancy teaches a series on Psalm 22 called "Psalm of the Cross," and references this passage in Isaiah.
If you haven’t started yet, I hope you’ll consider memorizing Isaiah 53 with us this month. I’d also love to hear your questions and comments as you dig in. Whether you join us or not, be awed today by your God:
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
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Comments
You too have a God-filled day, Paula!
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 7:38 am
This came at a truly right moment for me. Last ,night, I received some very bad news about my brother's health (he is very ill with liver cancer) and despite 2 operations, unfortunately, the cancer has spread.
How I cope with sadness and grief?
I use Jesus as a model - although I could not say I remain quiet, before I called my brother last night (we llive in different countries), I prayed that I would say the right thing.
To be loving. Like Jesus would be.
To measure my words (and to practise self-control). Last night, I wanted to call a friend and cry.
But suddenly, in the light of Jesus, I realized that, although it is maybe good to share our grief, isn't it deeply rather selfish?
God can take us (and members of our family) when he wants. We belong to him. And in the light of that, although I still want to cry and scream, I realize that......my brother is one of his. And so be it. Amen.
I love the verse 10 - that when we obey Christ, he does in fact have offspring.
Isn't that heart warming?
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 7:53 am
As for Isaiah 53, it has had me in thankful tears a couple of times this week alone. It is simply, breath taking. I realized that the apostles must have known of the horrors that awaited our dear Saviour and I believe now, it is only one of the many reasons why they left all behind to follow. It is setting more deeply in my own walk, a hightened desire to die to flesh/self.
Thank you for sharing Judy, Laura and Paula, and all the other ladies who may see fit to share today.
I praise my Saviour for his sacrifice. I worship Him because it seems to me impossible to go any other way, in light of the gospel (of course I regularly beg Him to keep this passion safe inside me). I can not wait for the day when I will come to a fuller understanding of why He'd ever bother with the likes of me. I'm just glad He allowed us to know Him at all.
I've finally (and joyfully) recognised that nothing works for my life aside from Him. All the other ways I tried to heal my concerns can not touch how His word and time with Him and fellow believers have.
Thank you for todays post Paula, it's always lovely to hear your 'spin' on things.
Peace, love n' blessings all.
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:58 am
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:01 am
I am so sorry for the pain and anger you are feeling about the spread of cancer in your brother's body. It was not meant to be this way. But sin . . .
Your post punctuates in my mind why it is so great that Jesus carried our sorrows--sorrow that was and always is a direct result of sin. He died so that He might overcome death. One day soon your brother will be free of all suffering, pain, and cancer!
I don't think it is selfish of you to cry to a friend. One of God's greatest graces is the Body of Christ. Of course, the Holy Spirit is personal, and He might have told you that it would have been selfish of you last night. But I hope you soon feel the freedom to share and pray with others who love you best.
You can count on our team to be praying for you and your brother,
paula
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:46 am
God's love is so amazing - that it is quite mindblowing at times. You know, thinking about what he did in the name of love for US????????
That's real love, isn't it? (That surpasses all understanding).
Hugs from Belgium
Judy
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:48 am
Not much time to write now, but just wanted to say I'll be praying too, for your brother, for you and any other family members. So sorry you are facing this. May the Lord strengthen you all and meet your every need, abundantly. 2 Cor. 9:8
Paula, I'm enjoying memorizing Is. 53. Yes, it is awesome; amazing and depth-filled prophetic words about our Savior... "We have also a more sure word of prophecy..."(2 Peter 1) I feel privileged to be nudged along by this ROH/TW scripture memorization program! Excited to get to meditate on Is. 53 this month. Thanks for the encouragement to study it more deeply.
In His love,
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 11:05 am
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hugs
Judy
on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 11:59 am
Many of the choir songs were taken from Scripture. Songs were easier to memorize and to remember.
As I read the Scriptures today in different translations (memorized in KJV) they become more alive to me.
Regretably, I wandered away from my faith in my young adult life, but God faithfully did not let me go.
I praise and thank Him for wooing me back so lovingly and so forgivingly. How I grieve over how I hurt Him, but rejoice over His mercy and forgiveness. He has also given me a heart for young people to truly understand His word and to warn them of the dangers of the world.
Looking forward to CHA the end of the month!
Joan
on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 7:18 am
when i read Is 53 in my heart i felt a great need to share it with my family and all the brothers and sisters in Christ to revive our spirits and joy in our salvation. may God help us all
on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 2:12 am
on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 6:12 pm