Sunday, August 5, 2018

We all, like sheep, have gone astray

Isaiah 52:13-53:12
See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness.
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfiedby his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressorsFor he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
This fourth Servant Song is the best=known of all. The scene shifts from the joyous home-coming to the lonely figure who paid the price of it. How different this is from the people's understanding of the future king: no acclaim, only rejection - a figure despised and ignored. Could God's hand be in this? Yes. 'It was my will that he should suffer'. He 'will bear the punishment of many and for his sake I will forgive them.
The New Testament echoes Isaiah, seeing in Jesus the ultimate fulfillment of these words. He it was who willingly gave his life that all might be forgiven.
Why?
Jesus is the Lord, our savior. Isaiah described the Servant of the Lord, he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
No one like Jesus who knew his mission and fulfillment the will of the Lord. 
There is echoes between here and the New Testament about Jesus Christ.
All of us are like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way, but God has laid on him the iniquity of us all. What we can say? No. Obey and trust in the Lord and follow his way.
How?
Praise the Lord, walking with Jesus Christ to honor holy name of the Lord.


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