Holy Ground {Isaiah 53}

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53 is holy ground.

"Isaiah’s prophetic pen allows us to peer into the events of Calvary and witness their spiritual significance. The physical horrors Jesus suffered on the cross are enough to move the most cynical person to emotion, but understanding their spiritual importance will inspire the most sinful person to devotion. The cross calls for more than just our tears, it is meant to capture our allegiance." -Tim Jennings

What we see in Isaiah 53 should shock all believers. This chapter has the power to transforms us, and soften every stony heart If we're willing to look at it closely!

Think about this a moment: Adam was called to obey God perfectly, but failed and all those who have come after him were cast out of the Lord’s presence (Gen 2:15-16; 3, Rom 5:12-21).

God’s own people, who were rescued from Egypt and called to obey God,—even its leaders—broke the covenant and were not permitted into Promised Land.

If even those called and rescued by the Lord failed, what hope do any of us have!?

 “He grew up before Him like a young plant,
    and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
    and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
    a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
    he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

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.(Isaiah 53:2-5)

The chapter begins by revealing that Jesus would deliver His people, not by the power of a sword, but through the power of suffering. And His suffering would begin by the way He chose to enter this world, in poverty. Like “a root in a dry, [parched] ground” (picture that for a moment) He would struggle to survive. (Isa. 53:2).

Not only that, but His suffering would intensified by the rejection He experienced from others (Isa. 53:3). The Amplified Bible tells us that He was as one who people would hide their faces from. I’m sure most of us know what it feels like to be rejected by another.

BUT what is most shocking to me is that man’s rejection of Jesus resulted in the horrific, physical abuse. Isaiah says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] we are healed. Once more the Amplified Bible tells us that He was beaten “beyond human likeness”.

AND what so amazes me is that Jesus didn’t have to suffer. He chose to! It's one thing to suffer when you have no choice or when you have done something to deserve it, but Jesus willingly chose to suffer on our behalf. (John 10:18; 12:27)

The coolest part of all of this is, Jesus purposely suffered for a reason! We were always on His mind and in His heart! And I believe had God’s Law called for a thousand deaths, He would have done that for you! “He shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days… . Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities” (vv. 10b–11).

I'd like to leave you with this thought, for I don’t want you to  miss what is perhaps the most beautiful truth taught in Isaiah 53: Jesus our Messiah did not fail to save His people!

Born in Adam, we were God’s enemies as long as we remained in Adam. When Jesus our Messiah went to the cross, He did so willingly! The spotless Lamb - His righteousness was offered for our unrighteous and "by His wounds we are healed"! And made whole. Reconciled, redeemed [bought back] to God our Father forever.

I can't help but to give Him thanks and pray that He never has to face our rejection again!