Through this most well known and most quoted passage of Isaiah we pay attention to the reality of Jesus giving Himself as our Substitute. He took our place of judgement to offer to us the Gift of New Life! This passage that is most often an Easter text reminds us clearly of the real meaning of Christmas. We celebrate new life because of His obedient sacrifice of His life for us! By His punishment we have peace (shalom) and by His wounds, we are healed! We have so much to give thanks for this Christmas Season!
0 Comments
Isaiah 43 contains a remarkable expression of God’s passionate and unconditional love for His people. This love is ultimately fulfilled and lived out in the coming of Jesus into the world as expressed by John, “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (Jn 3:16). In the chapter in focus today God clearly says to His people: “I will be with you”; “you are precious and honored in my sight… and I love you”; and “I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the desert”. Can you receive His words of love for you today?
Isaiah 43:1-5a;18-21 - "God's Incomparable Love Demonstrated" Download mp3 (Right click and choose "Save link as...") or listen below In Isaiah 42:1-9, Isaiah anticipates that Jesus is God’s chosen servant. As we pay attention to the first part of this prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-4 by considering its immediate context and fulfillment quoted in Matthew 12:18-21, we see that Jesus, God’s chosen servant, is worthy of a person and nation’s hopes for justice, peace and mending.
Some struggle with what God is like; many struggle to see how God is present. This was also true in the time and place where Isaiah spoke. With this in mind, Isaiah offers words of great comfort for us today when he anticipated that Jesus is one about whom people can now say, “Here is your God.” The presence of Jesus is that of “the sovereign Lord” (40:10); his rule is like a “shepherd that tends his flock” (40:11). Truly, we have in him good news; truly, we can lift our voices to him.
|
Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|