Isaiah 53

   The theme for our Holy Week observation is “The Suffering Servant”.  The inspiration for this theme came out of verse 10 of Isaiah 53.

“The Lord says, it was my plan to crush him and cause him to suffer. I made his life an offering to pay for sin. But he will see all his children after him. In fact, he will continue to live.”

   I spent a considerable amount of time meditating on the phrase “…it was my plan to crush him…” I am not able to apprehend this kind of love and commitment to my eternal destiny. This was not chance. This was a grand plan to reconcile us to God.

“Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

   My natural instinct pulls on me to reject this offensive death. It couldn’t be my sins. I am not an addict. I am not a murderer. I am not a thief. I have never been in jail. I pay my taxes, help my neighbor, give to the poor. I am a good guy.

“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.”

   To rebel and not own my sin would result in my eternal damnation. God will not be mocked. Christ took my punishment. He bore my sin. He died my death and gave me life. He was the suffering servant. He died to save me; he lives to intercede for me.

   Take the time this week to think on his suffering. To revel in His victory. To rehearse his resurrection. To sing praises to the lamb that was slain.

   May the peace of Christ abide in your heart this week of passion. Enter his presence, serve your King. His is risen, he is risen indeed!