Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? (Isaiah 53:1, NIV 1984).
My Musings – He is “revealed” to anyone with eyes and ears who is paying attention. There is enough in the surrounding verses of Isaiah 52 and 53 that no one should not have “believed [His] message.”
He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted (52:13) – “‘But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.” (John 12:31–33, NIV 1984).
His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness (52:14) – “They put a staff in His right hand and knelt in front of Him and mocked Him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. They spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again.” (Matthew 27:29–30, NIV 1984).
He was despised and rejected by men (53:3) – “But they shouted, ‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’ ‘Shall I crucify your king?’ Pilate asked. ‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered.” (John 19:15, NIV 1984).
We considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted (53:4) – “Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (Matthew 27:42–43, NIV 1984).
But he was pierced for our transgressions (53:5a) – “One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” (John 19:34, NIV 1984).
By his [stripes] we are healed (53:5b)- “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15, NIV 1984).
The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all (53:6) – “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24, NIV 1984).
As a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (53:7) – “‘Where do you come from?’ [Pilate] asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ‘Do you refuse to speak to me?'” Pilate said. (John 19:9–10, NIV 194).
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life – (53:11) –“In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” (Luke 24:5–7, NIV 1984).
He poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors (53:12) – “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left,” (Luke 23:32–33, NIV 1984).
My Advice – “Jesus [fulfilled] many other [prophecies] in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30–31, NIV 1984). Who could help but believe His story? Let’s open our ears and eyes.
The Brew Is A Musing 