Suffering is a common experience for all in this life. Isaiah prophesied of our Savior that He would be a “man of sorrows – acquainted with grief.” The One through whom (and for whom) all things were made endured great heartache as well as physical suffering. He understands our hurts.
The passage I quoted from above is a deep look at WHO Christ was, is, and always will be. Join me from now until Resurrection Sunday, and let’s consider the God-man who endured so much for us.
1 Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? 2 My servant grew up in the Lord ‘s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. Isaiah 53:1 -2
Isaiah gives us a surprising look at our Deliverer. Isaiah tells us He will show up as a tender plant…a root from dry ground. The Hebrew word implies a twig sprouting from a stump. The power of God bursts forth in the dry places of life–right when we need Him the most!
It’s important to see that Isaiah is speaking about those who BELIEVED the message of the prophets! Perhaps we miss God [when we need Him the most] because we’re looking for beauty, glory, and magnificence. Our human preference is for a “god” who rushes onto the scene to give us all the things we want. Instead of running to His arms, we run from hard times. We seek the things that appeal to us instead of looking for Him.
Yet, it is in our sorrows that the Savior becomes most clear and most dear to us. As you ponder these verses, ask the Holy Spirit to help you experience the presence of the Comforter more powerfully. Let the hurts of life be a call to reach out your hand for Jesus.
Dig Deeper:
What actions can you take to cultivate your trust in God? Think of the things (or research it) that need to be done to plant a garden.
Can you recall a time when God revealed His presence with something small — a word or a flower? How did that impact you?
Have you experienced God’s presence in a place you thought held only emptiness and loss?
Are there ‘good and beautiful’ things in your life that compete with your desire for God?
Consider sharing your insights with others. Only together can we see God in His fullness.
In my morning devotion, these verses leapt out at me as a great ‘incentive’ reminder for this study of Isaiah 53. WHO Jesus is –which this passage helps us do — is critical to our faith because the value (honor) we have for Jesus matters to our heavenly Father! May you be blessed as you mull over this this week.
22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. (John 5)
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Here’s another verse to contribute to the time you spend contemplating Jesus in Isaiah 53.
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him! (ESV)
Interestingly, many translations says “…He who rides on the clouds.” Dark times, dry times–those are the places we encounter His presence. Don’t run from them, look for Him.
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