Who really believed what
we heard? Who saw in it the Lord’s great power?
He was always close to the Lord. He grew up like a young plant,
like a root growing in dry ground. There was nothing special or impressive
about the way he looked, nothing we could see that would cause us to like him.
People made fun of him, and even his friends left him. He was a
man who suffered a lot of pain and sickness. We treated him like someone of no
importance, like someone people will not even look at but turn away from in
disgust.
The fact is, it was our suffering he took on himself; he bore our
pain. But we thought that God was punishing him, that God was beating him for
something he did. But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because
of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We
were healed because of his pain. We had all wandered away
like sheep. We had gone our own way. And yet the Lord put all
our guilt on him.
He was treated badly, but he never protested. He said nothing,
like a lamb being led away to be killed. He was like a sheep that makes no
sound as its wool is being cut off. He never opened his mouth to defend himself. He was
taken away by force and judged unfairly. The people of his time did not even
notice that he was killed. But he was put to death for the sins of his people. He had
done no wrong to anyone. He had never even told a lie. But he was buried among
the wicked. His tomb was with the rich.
But the Lord was pleased with this humble servant who
suffered such pain. Even after giving himself as an offering
for sin, he will see his descendants and enjoy a long life. He will succeed in
doing what the Lord wanted. After
his suffering he will see the light, and he
will be satisfied with what he experienced.
The Lord says, “My servant, who always does what is right, will
make his people right with me; he will take away their sins. For this reason, I will
treat him as one of my great people. I will give him the rewards of one who
wins in battle, and he will share them with his powerful ones. I will do this
because he gave his life for the people. He was considered a criminal, but the
truth is, he carried away the sins of many. Now he will stand before me and
speak for those who have sinned.”
Can you believe that it was 2700 plus years again that these
words were spoken? And 700 years before
they came true? Isaiah had no idea what
he was talking about but today we have the benefit to confirm that he was
talking about you.
Are there any forecasts that you have that your children and
grand children will learn like these?
Beyond the political ones we rant about weekly, know that Isaiah had
every detail right. So shouldn't we pay
attention?
Isaiah 53: 1-12 Easy Read Version