" Rolling Up the Sleeves "

 

Isaiah 53:1-9 "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 our 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 opened 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."

     In the past, our church has taken many ministry teams to Mexico. Occasionally, one of the vehicles would break down along the road. As the convoy would pull off to address the problem, it was always a blessing to see men rolling up their sleeves. That simple act let me know that they were ready to get their hands dirty.

     In the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, which describes the sufferings of our SAVIOR for us, the prophet begins the account with a most striking statement: "Who hath believed our report ? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed ?" (v.1). GOD rolled up HIS sleeves, as it were, in order to accomplish the hands-on work necessary for our salvation. The Apostle Paul puts this wonderful work of CHRIST into perspective: JESUS "made HIMSELF of no reputation, and took upon HIM the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, HE humbled HIMSELF, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8).

     Baring HIS arm, our blessed SAVIOR, according to the prophet Isaiah, willingly did that which was necessary to save us. "HE is despised . . . HE hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . . HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities . . . 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 opened not HIS mouth" (vv.3-7). The baring of HIS arm has resulted in nail prints on our SAVIOR's hands - all due to HIS great love and grace. I am grateful GOD "rolled up HIS sleeves" for me ! JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org