Isaiah 52:14-53:12 "As many were astonied (astonished) at THEE; HIS visage was so marred more than any man, and HIS form more than the sons of men: so shall HE sprinkle many nations; the Kings shall shut their mouths at HIM: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. Who hath believed our report ? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed ? For HE shall grow up before HIM as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: HE hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see HIM, there is no beauty that we should desire HIM. HE is despised and rejected of men; a MAN of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from HIM; HE was despised, and we esteemed HIM not. Surely HE hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem HIM stricken, smitten of GOD, and afflicted. But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of or peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all. HE was oppressed, and HE was afflicted, yet HE opened not HIS mouth: HE is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so HE openeth not HIS mouth. HE was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare HIS generation ? for HE was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of MY people was HE stricken. And HE made HIS grave with the wicked, and with the rich in HIS death; because HE had done no violence, neither was any deceit in HIS mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise HIM; HE hath put HIM to grief: when THOU shalt make HIS soul an offering for sin, HE shall see HIS seed, HE shall prolong HIS days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in HIS hand. HE shall see of the travail of HIS soul, and shall be satisfied: by HIS knowledge shall MY righteous SERVANT justify many; for HE shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide HIM a portion with the great, and HE shall divide the spoil with the strong; because HE hath poured out HIS soul unto death: and HE was numbered with the transgressors; and HE bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
The picture of the LORD of Glory prior to and during HIS crucifixion defies description. Certainly, no Hollywood production or Christian film could ever adequately portray what transpired on Calvary nearly two millennia ago, but the HOLY SPIRIT is able to paint in our mind's eye that tremendous event in such a way that we can see the true CHRIST "lifted up" on that cruel Roman cross. The agony, the disfiguring of JESUS CHRIST -- "Many were astonied (astonished) at THEE; HIS visage was marred more than any man, and HIS form more than the sons of men" (v.14 pictured above) -- goes far beyond any depiction one might see on a movie or television screen. If we want to view the LORD JESUS CHRIST's sacrificial, substitutionary death in the way that GOD intends it to be seen, then we must reverently and expectantly meditate upon the Holy Scriptures.
The people who compassed the cross that day as "they watched HIM there" (Matthew 27:36 pictured above) displayed the same uncaring and unbelieving attitudes as those of our own day. How do you view the crucifixion of the eternal SON of GOD -- the LORD JESUS CHRIST ? What do you see as you look at JESUS the Nazarene hanging on Calvary's cross ? What does it all mean to you ? No one can take a neutral position. Someday even the most arrogant, belligerent unbeliever will bow his knee to the same LORD and acknowledge HIM to be the CHRIST, the LAMB that was slain in the sinner's place (Isaiah 53:2-12). But in that day, it will be too late, for the eternal damnation of the unsaved has already been determined due to their refusal to trust JESUS CHRIST in this life. Today is the day that we must look to the LORD JESUS CHRIST as our Sin-bearer, our SAVIOR -- and our LORD ! DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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