And His Name Was Jesus

July 28

Today’s Bible Reading:  Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2

Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:

Topic: Messianic Prophecy

SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah 53:3-6

³ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa 53:3-6 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

The prophecy of Isaiah in the 53^rd chapter is an insight to a future that would come 700 years later. God gave Isaiah such a detailed picture of the Messiah, His suffering and sacrifice. It was a picture that for 700 years people who were longing for the coming of the Messiah likely could not and did not understand. How could a Savior be a sufferer? How could a Savior be despised and rejected? How could He be stricken, smitten and afflicted by God? Why would He be pierced and crushed? How could His being wounded bring healing to us? It was a vivid prophecy, but it didn’t make sense.

About 700 years later every detail of Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled and many of the people still could not see it. The Messiah came and He was not recognized as the Savior. So He was despised and rejected. He was beaten viciously, He was pierced with thorns and a spear. He was whipped and His flesh torn open. He was smitten—He was killed! His name was Jesus.     

APPLICATION:

The truth of what Isaiah prophesied and what Jesus fulfilled—the reason for the suffering and death is found in verse 6 of Isaiah’s prophecy: Every one of us throughout history and to the present day has turned away from God in one way or another. We are all deserving of the eternal death that naturally follows such separation from God our Creator. Only the perfect, flawless, sinless Son of God could take upon Himself the iniquity of us all. Only He could make a way for us to be brought into right relationship again with God. He who did not deserve it did it for us. And His name was Jesus.

PRAYER:

Oh my Lord I praise and worship You. The Son of God came as a human being and lived a sinless life among us. Jesus, You bore the suffering and excruciating death for me. You died and were buried. But you defeated death and arose. Now I have a relationship with You my living Savior and through You a relationship with God my Creator. Oh my Lord I praise and worship You! Amen.  -AP