September 02, 2011
The Father owes us nothing. He has already given us everything. He has given us Himself—Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 52:14 - "His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form beyond likeness."
Isaiah 53:3–12 - "He was hated and rejected by people. He had much pain and suffering... But he took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us. We saw his suffering and thought God was punishing him. But he was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which brought us peace (NIV), was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds. We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way. But the LORD has put on him the punishment for all the evil we have done. He was beaten down and punished, but he didn't say a word. He was like a lamb being led to be killed. He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool is being cut; he never opened his mouth...He was put to death; he was punished for the sins of my people... He had done nothing wrong, and he had never lied... But it was the LORD who decided to crush him and make him suffer. The LORD made his life a penalty offering... He will complete the things the LORD wants him to do... My good servant will make many people right with God; he will carry away their sins... He willingly gave his life and was treated like a criminal. But he carried away the sins of many people and asked forgiveness for those who sinned."
Thank you Jesus. No mere words of praise will ever be enough.
As I read these words and thought about the incredible and painful gift the LORD gave us when He sacrificed His son (Himself) for the sins of all mankind, I was reminded of the somber verses found in Hebrews 6:4–6.
The Father owes us nothing. He has already given us everything. He has given us Himself—Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 52:14 - "His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form beyond likeness."
Isaiah 53:3–12 - "He was hated and rejected by people. He had much pain and suffering... But he took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us. We saw his suffering and thought God was punishing him. But he was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which brought us peace (NIV), was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds. We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way. But the LORD has put on him the punishment for all the evil we have done. He was beaten down and punished, but he didn't say a word. He was like a lamb being led to be killed. He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool is being cut; he never opened his mouth...He was put to death; he was punished for the sins of my people... He had done nothing wrong, and he had never lied... But it was the LORD who decided to crush him and make him suffer. The LORD made his life a penalty offering... He will complete the things the LORD wants him to do... My good servant will make many people right with God; he will carry away their sins... He willingly gave his life and was treated like a criminal. But he carried away the sins of many people and asked forgiveness for those who sinned."
Thank you Jesus. No mere words of praise will ever be enough.
As I read these words and thought about the incredible and painful gift the LORD gave us when He sacrificed His son (Himself) for the sins of all mankind, I was reminded of the somber verses found in Hebrews 6:4–6.
"Some people cannot be brought back again to a changed life. They were once in God's light, and enjoyed heaven's gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit. They found out how good God's word is, and they received the powers of his new world. But they fell away from Christ. It is impossible to bring them back to a changed life again; because they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him in front of others."
Oh, what strong words. Words that bring tears to my eyes. May this never be said about me. There is a HUGE difference—an indescribable difference—between the LORD deciding to use His son, Jesus Christ, as a penalty offering for our sins, AND then man (after already experiencing the forgiveness of his sins because of God's great gift) rejecting it and because of his selfish pride and refusal to follow God's teachings, he himself "nails the Son of God to a cross again" and shames Jesus Christ in front of others.
Think about it!!! Being responsible for nailing the Son of God to a cross and shaming Him again!! The LORD freely giving His Son as a penalty offering for our salvation—verses—man rejecting the free gift and audaciously, arrogantly, and purposefully, shaming Christ by nailing God's Son to a cross over and over again in his selfish pride. Almost unbearable to think about.
Think about it!!! Being responsible for nailing the Son of God to a cross and shaming Him again!! The LORD freely giving His Son as a penalty offering for our salvation—verses—man rejecting the free gift and audaciously, arrogantly, and purposefully, shaming Christ by nailing God's Son to a cross over and over again in his selfish pride. Almost unbearable to think about.
Sadly, we probably all know someone this could be said about. Forgive them Father for they know not what they do. Open their eyes to the Truth.
Next Entry: Isaiah 54:1 – 55:13
Next Entry: Isaiah 54:1 – 55:13
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