I am the Lord, and there is no other. - Isaiah 45:5

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

How does a parent gain the right to discipline a child? Simply by virtue of being the child’s parent. That’s how God designed the family to work (Col. 3:20-note).

Consider, then, a small child who does not want to obey his mother. “Mom,” he says, “you’re not my boss any more. I can take care of myself. Even though you’re my mother, I don’t acknowledge your right to guide or discipline me. I think I know better and can do better on my own. I reject your authority--I’ll handle things from here on out.”

How do you think such a child would do in the real world? No doubt you’re shaking your head in dismay.

Yet this was precisely Israel’s attitude in today’s Scripture reading. Even though God was the Maker of their nation (Isa 45:11), they preferred to go their own way. This attitude dismayed Isaiah, who said that for Israel to quarrel with her Maker was foolish, out of order, and pointless (Isa 45:9, 10).

God knows best, and His power is irresistible. He is not merely the “top dog” among other gods (like Zeus of Olympus)--He is the one true God (Isa 45:5, 6, 18). Even though King Cyrus (see Isa 45:1, 13) doesn’t acknowledge Him, God will use him to bring the Israelites home from exile in order to glorify His name. Though Cyrus worshiped Babylonian gods, what he did was by and through God, for He is sovereign even when He is not worshiped.

God is sovereign over everything, from light to darkness, from prosperity to disaster (Isa 45:7; cf. Ps. 50:10, 11, 12-note). His sovereignty is not random or cruel, but purposeful and righteous (Isa 45:8). He is like a potter working with clay, shaping us according to His will (Isa 45:9; cf. Isa. 29:16 and Isa 64:8). Do we doubt or resist this? Creation provides compelling evidence (Isa 45:12).

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We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8b

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

When you were in school, did your art teacher ever ask you to use clay to mold a candy dish or other object? Such an activity might have been timed so that you could take your handiwork home as a Christmas gift for your parents.

At first, you started off with grand ambitions of sculpting a masterpiece. As the deadline drew nearer, however, you thought you’d settle for wrestling the stubborn muck into any recognizable shape. Your candy dish ended up lopsided, but your mother still saved it proudly for many years.

Today’s reading pictures God as the Potter and ourselves as the clay. At one level, this is literally true. God formed man from the dust of the earth, breathing life into clay (Ge 2:7). Interestingly, the word “formed” has the same root as the word “potter” in Isaiah 45:9.

On another level, this metaphor demonstrates God’s sovereignty and righteous judgment. He shapes the destinies of nations (cf. Jer. 18:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). He sent Israel into exile, and He will use Cyrus to restore them to their homeland. We often think of this metaphor only in individual terms–God molds us. In Scripture, however, it is more often used in bigger terms–God directs world history. That’s why near the end of today’s reading the whole earth is called to salvation and worship (Isa 45:22, 23, 24).

For us, this image is a lesson in obedience. To rebel against God is as wrong and unthinkable as clay quarreling with a potter. It’s ridiculous and presumptuous for us to question Him or to doubt His plan and power (Isa 45:9, 10). God has every right to do as He pleases in making us fit and useful vessels (Ro 9:20, 21-note). Submission and obedience are our proper and righteous responses.

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God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Last November, Britain’s Prince Charles was greeting a group of children during a visit to Riga, Latvia, when a young woman reached out from the crowd and slapped the prince across the face with a flower. Charles flinched and pulled back as police grabbed his assailant and took her away. The prince was unhurt and continued along the street speaking to bystanders.

The reason for this assault provides a perfect illustration of the complex and disturbing times in which we live. The woman told police she attacked Prince Charles to protest Britain’s role in the U.S.-led bombing of Afghanistan following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Think about that international tangle for a minute. A young person in a Baltic country was protesting a Western European nation’s involvement in a war that was provoked in the United States and was being fought in Central Asia. Our world is not only a smaller place than ever before, but a more confusing and dangerous place than ever before.

We are definitely in the middle of hard times as a nation and as God’s people. You’ll recall how quickly and almost frantically various religious and political leaders took the stage after September 11 to assure us that Islam was a religion of peace, and that the terrorists did not represent the vast majority of their people. Trying to prevent revenge attacks on our Muslim neighbors is a worthy goal, but this action calls for us to ignore differences and to strive for religious unity that threatens the truth of the gospel. It will take courage for Christians to lovingly but firmly “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3).

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I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. - Isaiah 49:6

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Jesus commanded His followers to go to the world. Sometimes the world comes to us.

For example, during the men’s 1994 soccer World Cup, hosted in the United States, nearly one hundred churches, mission agencies, and parachurch groups cooperated in an evangelistic “Up for the Cup” campaign. The group distributed millions of pieces of literature, including tracts, a special Sports Spectrum magazine with player testimonies, and a New Testament. In addition, Missionary Athletes International organized more than one hundred soccer clinics for more than six thousand kids, with about 550 making decisions for Christ.

In modern times, sports provide an excellent means of crossing boundaries with the message of Christ. Athletic events have proved to be effective platforms for sharing the good news of salvation throughout the world.

This good news is prophesied in today’s Scripture reading, one of Isaiah’s famous “Servant Songs.” We’ve seen God’s plan for the nations in passages of narrative and poetry, and today we see it in prophecy as well.

The “Servant” (Isa 49:3) is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Some people believe that “Israel” is a specific reference to Jacob. However, the prophet is saying that God is calling His chosen people back to Himself.

The Messiah is specially chosen and prepared by the Father (Isa 49:1, 2, 3, 5). He will encounter difficulties and opposition, but God will reward Him in the end (Isa 49:4, 5, 7). His mission is not only to Israel, but to the Gentiles as well (Isa 49:6; cf. Isa. 14:1). In the end, every knee will bow (Isa 49:7; cf. Phil. 2:9, 10, 11-note)!

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Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down. - Isaiah 49:7

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

D. L. Moody told of the time when William Carey, the great missionary, was at a party attended by the governor-general of India. Also present were military officers, who viewed Carey with contempt. One of the officers said, “I believe that Carey was a shoemaker, wasn’t he, before he took up the profession of a missionary?”

Carey spoke up with typical humility. “Oh, no, I was only a cobbler. I could mend shoes, and wasn’t ashamed of it.” Moody saw in Carey’s attitude a reflection of Christ. Later Moody wrote, “The one prominent virtue of Christ was His humility.... In His entire submission and dependence on His Father, this virtue--consummated in His death on the cross--shines out.”

Jesus the Messiah demonstrated this beautiful humility as He set aside the glory and privileges of being in heaven with God the Father to become God’s Servant on earth. Jesus is the Servant-King, who came the first time to give His life as a ransom for sinners and will return a second time to claim His throne.

Isaiah foretold the Servant role of Messiah in a series of prophecies often called the “Servant Songs.” Today’s prophecy is especially intriguing because in it, the Servant Himself speaks about His unique ministry and relationship to the Lord God.

We can read these verses with an insight Isaiah didn’t possess, because we see their fulfillment in the events of Jesus’ life.

Sometime in eternity past God the Father designated His Son to be Israel’s Messiah and Savior. The Father then sent the Son into the world with the “sharpened sword” of His Word (Isa 49:2) to redeem Israel.

The Messiah then speaks of His rejection (Isa 49:3) and takes comfort in the fact that His exaltation comes from God (Isa 49:4, 5). And His ministry would be victorious because God decreed that the Servant would also be the Savior of the world.

The Servant’s ministry continued after His rejection. Isaiah prophesied His future exaltation, which the New Testament reveals will occur at Jesus’ second coming (Phil. 2:10, 11-note).

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Every time we open our Bibles, we need to open our hearts to the searching power of God’s Word.

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Like so many great servants of God, Matthew Henry felt God's call on his life at a very early age. It was said that Henry, who was born in 1662, could read and comment on the Bible at the age of three. He received Christ as his Savior at age eleven. Henry was determined to become a minister as his father had been, and he served in a church in Chester, England, for twenty-five years. Those early exercises in Bible study paid off, too, as Matthew Henry published a Bible commentary that is still widely used today.

God's call on the life of His Servant, Jesus, was evident even before His conception. The Servant of the Lord, whose portrait is drawn in the prophet Isaiah's Servant Songs, says of Himself, ""Before I was born the Lord called me"" (Isa 49:1).

The Servant is the speaker in these opening verses of Isaiah 49. He invites the distant nations to listen to His words, because His birth and mission will impact them as well as Israel. This call to the ""islands"" and the ""nations"" echoes Isaiah 42 where it is prophesied that the Servant will establish justice on the entire earth (Isa 42:1, 4).

The Servant says His mouth is like a ""sharpened sword"" (Isa. 49:2), terminology that reminds us of John's description of the risen and exalted Christ (Rev 1:16-note, Re 2:12-note, Re 2:16-note).

As we read today's passage, the picture of the Servant and His ministry comes into clear focus. Because the Servant is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, we understand verse 1 as a reference to the events surrounding His birth. The sharpened sword in His mouth reminds us that Jesus was the Word of God in the flesh.

In Isa 49: 3, God calls His Servant ""Israel,"" leading some to believe that the nation itself is the Servant. But it is obvious that the Servant is distinct from Israel, for He is called to bring Israel back to the Lord.

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We have spent enough time in Isaiah's second Servant Song to know that the Lord's Servant was sent to set captives free. As we step back from Isaiah 49 to see how this great prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, we meet the Savior in His hometown of Nazareth.

This should have been a real highlight in Jesus' career on earth. Here was the anointed Son of God, the miracle-worker, the great Teacher, the One who could draw crowds, returning to the place where He was raised.

You would think the people of Nazareth would hold a parade, or at least a banquet, for their most illustrious citizen. After all, Nazareth wasn't the kind of place that would be remembered for much of anything (Jn. 1:46).

Even though the mere presence of Jesus should have been enough to cause excitement, there was also the message He came to deliver. It was the good news of freedom for the captives (Isa. 49:9)!

We saw earlier this week that the ultimate fulfillment of the Servant's ministry of setting captives free will be in His millennial kingdom. But Jesus' announcement at Nazareth provided a foreshadowing of that ultimate fulfillment. And considering that the captives are those in the spiritual bondage of sin, Jesus' sacrifice for sin on the Cross was the very act of release itself.

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There are many ways in which we may feel ""held captive"" in our spiritual lives. Is there something you need freedom from today?

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. - John 9:5

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

In Keeping the Spirit of Christmas, Handel H. Brown writes, “There is a beautiful contrast between light and noise. You watch the sun rising in the east, quietly stealing into the sky, dispelling the night, and gently waking all nature to life. It does not shout. . . . It moves silently across the world, transforming it. And so it is with Jesus. . . . He is the Light that enables us to see things more clearly.”

We celebrate Christmas on December 25, just three or four days after the day with the fewest hours of daylight. It seems appropriate that each year our days grow increasingly dark until just before Christmas--when Jesus was born to bring light into the world.

Before Jesus was born on earth, Isaiah 49 tells us that God chose Him to bring light into a dark world (Isa 49:1). The birth of Jesus was an act of love that God had planned from the beginning of time. God was willing to send His only Son to earth for us.

Christ’s mouth is “like a sharpened sword” (Isa 49:2), an image that recurs in Scripture several times. In Revelation 19:15-note we see a similar description of Jesus with a sharp sword. This should remind us that although God does love us, the truth of God also brings judgment on those who do not accept Christ. Jesus is both gentle and just.

Although the nation of Israel did not accept Jesus when He first came (Isa. 49:7), God in His mercy made salvation through Christ available to all people (Isa 49:6). God promises to restore Israel (Isa 49:8), and all people who have been freed from the bondage of sin can feel the excitement in the words, “Come out . . . and be free!” (Isa 49:9).

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Christmas is a season of music--and we have so much to rejoice over. If your church offers a Christmas carol sing-along, consider participating for the opportunity to sing out with others. You could also organize some Christmas caroling with your friends or family members.

You have prepared . . . a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. - Luke 2:32

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Researchers have noted that rates of depression and anxiety are higher during the winter and in areas of the country that receive less sunlight, but they didn't know whether this was a correlation or if the lack of sunlight was the cause. Even if there was a connection, there didn't seem to be much remedy other than moving to a sunnier location. Now Seasonal Affective Disorder, the depression some people experience from a lack of light, has been recognized, and sufferers are able to get special light machines that imitate sunlight and reduce their symptoms.  Just as sunlight is necessary for our physical and emotional health, the Bible uses light as a metaphor for salvation, indicating that God's light is essential for spiritual life.

As we've seen in our study, God's intention for choosing Israel was that it might be a blessing to other nations. Yesterday we saw that God was faithful to meet the needs of Gentiles even when the nation was in great crisis and rebellion. We also know that eventually this sin would lead to the nation's exile. Elijah was one of the early prophets whom God raised up to warn the people to repent and to display the power of the living God when the people were worshiping lifeless idols. But God also used the prophets to articulate His promises of restoration and future hope. In Isaiah 40-66, we find a series of powerful prophecies, sometimes called the Servant Songs, that refer to the Servant of the Lord.

In Isaiah 49, we learn that this Servant will restore Israel to the Lord. For a nation facing exile, this was certainly comforting to hear. God's plans for the Servant extended to the ends of the earth: “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isa 49:6). Indeed, the work of this Servant will be so great that kings will bow before Him.

Although there are obvious messianic hopes in today's passage, it's also true that the nation itself had been called to be a light to the Gentiles. Part of Isaiah's message included a reminder to the nation of God's intended purposes for them.

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The theme of “a light to the Gentiles” extends well into the New Testament. We first see it in Simeon's praise in Luke 2:29, 30, 31, 32. Simeon well understood that Jesus was the promised Servant of Isaiah. Interestingly, the term is appropriated by Paul in Acts 13:47 concerning his own call to the Gentiles. When his Gentile listeners heard about God's plan for them, they rejoiced! These links between the Old and New Testaments help us to see that missions is no afterthought in the plan of God!

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Mission annals recorded a noteworthy obituary earlier this year. Gikita Waewae, who died in Ecuador in February at age eighty, led the small band of Waorani (formerly called Auca) warriors who killed Jim Elliott and four other missionaries in an Ecuadoran jungle in 1956. This martyrdom, easily the most famous of the twentieth century, seemed to many like a waste of five young men's lives. But God used the incident to draw thousands of young people into missions and to open the hearts of the Waorani people, including Gikita Waewae, to the gospel.

God has always worked in mysterious ways. The martyrdom of the ""Ecuador Five"" is evidence of that. Consider also the Servant of the Lord's lament that His ministry was for ""no purpose,"" ""in vain,"" and ""for nothing"" (Isa 49:4).

The prophet Isaiah must have puzzled as he recorded these words as coming from the Servant's own mouth. How could such a glorious Person view His purpose as futility?

Today's reading is a great example of the advantage we have in reading Isaiah's Servant Songs on this side of the Cross, with the full revelation of God in our hands. In light of this, it's our understanding that the Servant's reference to ""futility"" in His mission was fulfilled in Israel's rejection of Jesus at His first coming (Isa. 49:7).

But it is impossible that God's sovereign purpose would be thwarted by any human action. Here is where the mystery of His working comes to light. Israel's rejection of her Messiah became the occasion for God to send Him to offer salvation to the Gentiles. Not only will Israel be restored, but the Servant will also become the light that brings salvation to every corner of the earth (Isa. 49:6).

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TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

When the Magi came from the East to worship Jesus, the newborn king of the Jews, it is doubtful that they understood the full impact of their role in the divine drama. But the fact that these nobles, whether three or three hundred, came to bow down before Jesus is a great testimony to the prophetic truth of God's Word.

What happened in Bethlehem (Mt. 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) was just a small foreshadowing of the worship the Messiah will receive when He comes again. At that time, He will receive universal praise and worship.

Jesus was despised and rejected by Israel at His first coming. He was the ""servant of rulers"" in His earthly ministry (Isa 49:7). But at His return, earthly kings and princes will leave their thrones to fall before Him.

The second Servant Song of Isaiah reaches beyond the first coming of the Messiah to encompass His return in glory as King of Israel and Ruler of all nations. Even though the triumphant Second Coming of Jesus Christ is yet in the future, it is as certain as the character of God.

How do we know? Because God Himself promised His Servant that it would come to pass. The Lord is the speaker in Isa 49:7, 8, 9. And because He is faithful and is the ""Holy One of Israel"" who has chosen the Messiah for this mission (Isa 49:7), nothing can prevent Him from carrying out His will.

Verses 8-9 look ahead to the millennial kingdom of Christ, called here the ""time of [God's] favor"" and ""the day of salvation."" The reference to Messiah as a ""covenant"" for the people of Israel echoes Isaiah 42:6, where we learned that the Messiah's mission would serve to fulfill God's promises.

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Have you bowed before Jesus and confessed Him as your Lord and Savior (Phil. 2:10, 11-note)? We certainly hope you have. But we try not to take it for granted that all of our TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL readers have put their faith in Christ and have the assurance of sins forgiven and eternal life.

Comet Hale-Bopp created quite a bit of interest last spring as it passed near the sun and was easily visible in the night sky. The comet was discovered in July, 1995, while it was still out beyond the orbit of planet Jupiter. Astronomers say such a discovery was unusual, since comets typically need to be closer before they can be observed. But Hale-Bopp is extremely large and bright, making it visible to telescopes even from such a great distance.

With a nucleus four times larger than Halley's Comet, Hale-Bopp easily outshines its well-known fellow comet. In an even greater way, the Servant of the Lord easily outshines any person who came before Him--or since, for that matter.

This is because the Servant is not a mere human, not just another brilliant light in God's heaven. He is, as we have seen, Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth. As we complete the second of four Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah, Jesus' glory shines through in all of its splendor.

The final verses of the Song in Isaiah 49 describe a time of joy and restoration unlike any we have yet seen on earth. God the Father is speaking to the Servant, offering incredible promises regarding what He will do in ""the time of [His] favor"" (Isa 49:8).

This is a reference to Christ's millennial kingdom, a period yet in the future when the people of Israel will return to their land from the corners of the earth (Isa 49:12). In that day, God will fulfill the promises of His new covenant to Israel (Jer. 31:31, 32, 33, 34) as the Servant fulfills His ministry as ""a covenant for the people"" (Isa. 49:8).

It doesn't take much imagination to picture the joy of the ""captives"" (Isa. 49:9), people held in spiritual as well as physical bondage, as they are led to freedom and blessing by Christ.

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The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious. - Isaiah 50:5

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

The Dutch theologian and statesman Abraham Kuyper wrote that Jesus Christ’s endurance carried Him through the great struggles He faced on earth. “First in the wilderness, then in Pilate’s judgment hall, and finally upon the cross, [Jesus] was steadfast. He endured. Satan left nothing untried in his efforts to destroy that glorious, holy, divine life. But the holiness of Jesus was neither marred nor even slightly soiled.”

Kuyper’s thoughts underscore the uniqueness of our great Savior, who gave Himself willingly to be God’s Servant. He who was without sin willingly laid down His life to redeem us. Jesus’ absolute sinlessness is what makes His sacrifice for our sins effective.

Once again in Isaiah 50, the Servant speaks for Himself and declares His obedience to God, the extent of His sacrifice, and His confidence that God will uphold Him in His purity.

It is painful to read of the suffering that our sin caused the Lord, even more so when the Servant-Messiah describes in His own words what He would endure. Isa 50:6 is so specific in its detail that we could easily forget this is prophecy, written at least six hundred years before Christ’s birth.

The Bible teaches that from God’s perspective, Jesus was “the Lamb that was slain” before the world was ever made (Rev. 13:8). That’s how much He loved a world that He knew would reject and crucify Him!

It would be amazing enough if Jesus just endured the suffering that came upon Him in the course of carrying out His ministry. But Jesus “offered” Himself as the sacrifice for sin. He chose the cross, moving toward it with deliberate commitment (Isa 50:7; cf. Lk. 9:51) even though, as Kuyper said, Jesus knew that Satan would try everything to destroy Him.

Jesus knew He would not fail, however, because His Father would vindicate Him. The Servant would face His accusers in a series of trials, but they would have nothing to say against Him. Jesus’ holiness was never in question.

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The Servant’s questions, “Who is my accuser?” and “Who is he that will condemn me?” (vv. 8-9) are echoed by the apostle Paul in Romans 8:31, 32, 33-note, Ro 8:34-note.We are the ones encouraged to ask the questions in Romans. We can do this not because we are without sin, but because Christ paid for our sins on the cross. Think of it. No one can ever bring up any charge against you if your sins are forgiven in Christ. Doesn’t that make you want to thank Him today?

During the Battle of New Orleans, American commander Andrew Jackson used martial law powers to jail a local newspaper editor who had criticized him. The editor appealed to a federal judge and obtained a writ of habeas corpus. So Jackson had the judge jailed too. But when martial law was lifted, the judge returned to his bench and issued a contempt citation against Jackson. The general appeared and paid a $1ꯠ (? - typo) fine, then told a supportive crowd, ""Concerning obedience to the laws...as the first duty of a citizen I did not hesitate to comply with the sentence.""

The Servant of the Lord was also obedient, even to His hurt, although the sentence against Him was totally unjust and applied with maximum cruelty.

It is difficult to read these opening verses of Isaiah's third Servant Song without wincing at the thought of the suffering Jesus endured on our behalf. Isa 50:6 is the only reference we have to a form of torture Jesus must have suffered before being nailed to the Cross.

What did the Lord's Servant do to deserve such punishment? His only ""crimes"" were teaching the Word of God, as we saw yesterday, and offering those who were spiritually weary the rest and refreshment of His salvation (Mt. 11:28, 29, 30).

Isa 50:4, 5 are a wonderful picture of the obedient Servant, ever ready to hear and obey. After all, what is a servant's first obligation but to obey his master? Jesus asserted throughout His ministry that everything He did was in perfect agreement with and obedience to the Father.

That obedience took Jesus all the way to the Cross--and in the Servant's own words, ""I have not drawn back"" (Isa 50:5).

It's true that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, ""My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me."" But the telling moment came when He added, ""Yet not as I will, but as you will"" (Mt. 26:39).

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We think of the Lord's Prayer as our model for prayer as believers, and rightly so. But Jesus' prayer of surrender and obedience in the Garden is also the prayer God wants to hear from our lips. Is it possible that you are hesitating to take a step of obedience or surrender that God is calling you to take? Perhaps it involves the issue we talked about on September 5.

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

During Woodrow Wilson's first term as President, his wife Ellen died, and Wilson was devastated. Some months later he met a widow named Edith Galt. After a brief engagement, the couple was married in December, 1915. In the 1916 election, Wilson's opponents began circulating stories of his marital improprieties, suggesting that his wife had died of a broken heart. Wilson wrote to his former pastor, ""I do not know how to deal with the fiendish lies...other than to invite those who repeat them to consult anybody who has known me for any length of time.""

The Servant of the Lord knew exactly what it felt like to be slandered and falsely accused. No person has ever endured so patiently injustices and lies like the ones told against Jesus Christ by His accusers. Even Pilate, an experienced player in the game of setting up an opponent for a fall, was amazed that Jesus could hear so many charges against Him and not answer (Mk. 15:3-5).

But Jesus knew that His vindication lay not in hiring a defense lawyer and amassing evidence confirming His innocence. He left His defense with God (Isa. 50:7, 8a).

Jesus knew exactly what awaited Him when He set out for Jerusalem and the Cross. But as the Lord's obedient Servant, He ""set [His] face like flint"" to do the Father's will (Isa 50:7).

Now let's not get the wrong idea about the Servant's refusal to defend Himself. Jesus wasn't silent before His accusers because He was too meek to speak up. His silence was in fulfillment of prophecy--another Servant Song, as a matter of fact (Isa. 53:7).

Jesus knew the appropriate times to remain silent and when to speak up--earlier in His ministry, He was bold in challenging the religious leaders to prove any charge against Him (Jn. 8:42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47). The language there is very similar to the Servant's challenge in Isa 50:8, 9 of today's text.

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Woodrow Wilson's invitation to his accusers to check out the facts is a tried and true way of killing gossip.

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Many of us have heard the chilling German folk story of ""The Pied Piper."" In this centuries-old tale, the town of Hamelin hires a mysterious stranger to get rid of the town's rats. He walks their streets playing a magic flute, and the rats rush to follow him out of town.

Hamelin refuses to pay, however, since the stranger did the job so easily. The ""pied piper"" warns them that he will get his revenge. One day he appears again, playing his flute. This time it is the children who follow him out of town and through a door that opens magically into a mountain. The door shuts and no one ever sees the children again.

The mysterious stranger was both attractive and deceptive. Those who heard his flute and responded went to their doom. Today, many such ""pied pipers"" seek to draw people into darkness. Only Jesus Christ shines the light of truth into the hearts of all who come to Him.

As the Servant of the Lord, Christ alone shows us the way to the Father (John 14:6). In these closing verses of Isaiah's third Servant Song, the prophet adds a postscript to the Servant's challenge to His accusers.

The Servant had said that anyone who tried to oppose Him would fall apart like a moth-eaten garment. Isaiah, who had seen the Lord in all of His awesome holiness and glory (Isa. 6:1, 2, 3, 4), understood the fear of the Lord. So he offered his testimony to the truth of the Servant's claims.

The Bible tells us that knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord (Pr 1:7). Here we see the value of that fear, or reverent regard for God. As sinful human beings, we need to obey ""the word of [God's] servant"" (Isa. 50:10).

Obeying His Word is what leads us to salvation. All of us need this salvation in Christ--left to ourselves we would wander in sin's darkness.

It's one thing to realize you're in the dark and look for the light. It's another thing to light your own spiritual fire, trying to find your way out of the darkness by following your own ""flaming torch.""

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Therefore my people will know my name. - Isaiah 52:6a

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Isaiah’s entire life was spent under the shadow of threatening Assyrian power, and he witnessed the ruin of his nation at their hands. When Isaiah was a young man, all of northern Israel was taken captive (734 b.c.). Thirteen years later Samaria fell, and the rest of Israel was carried away. Then the Assyrians came into Judah and carried away 200,000 captives. When Isaiah was an old man, the Assyrians finally were stopped before the walls of Jerusalem (cf. 2Kings 19:1f).

This passage starts out, “Awake, awake, O Zion.” Zion is one of the hills on which Jerusalem stands, so Jerusalem is often referred to as “Zion.” Isaiah predicted that Jerusalem wouldn’t fall into defiled hands again (Isa 52:1) King Hezekiah repaired the temple and reestablished the services there. He was a king who was dedicated to God and to the spiritual rebirth of the nation.

Often the passages in Isaiah have meanings that extend beyond their immediate context, and that may be the case here, since the total redemption of Jerusalem won’t occur until the return of Christ to earth.

In the first verses of this chapter, we see God’s promises to restore His people (Isa 52:4, 5, 6). Then, in verse 7 Isaiah tells us the good news: peace and salvation are found in God. The people will be comforted and will burst into “songs of joy” because the Lord “has redeemed Jerusalem” (Isa 52:9).

The last verses of Isaiah 52 introduce the theme that will extend into our discussion tomorrow of Isaiah 53. Again we see God refer to Jesus as “my servant” (Isa 52:13).

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Repeatedly in Isaiah we have seen Jesus referred to as “the servant.”

He was . . . a man of sorrows . . . familiar with suffering. - Isaiah 53:3

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

During World War II, the U.S. Dorchester transport was sailing off the coast of Greenland when it was torpedoed and began to sink. Realizing that there were not enough life preservers, four chaplains, also on board, removed their life jackets and handed them to four soldiers. In horror, the surviving soldiers watched the chaplains, arms linked and voices raised in prayer, drown in the icy waters.

It’s hard to grasp such self-sacrifice. The greatest act of self-sacrifice ever known was when the One whose eternal nature we are studying took on the “very nature” of a servant so that He might die in our place (Phil. 2:7,8-note). Understanding our Lord as the Suffering Servant will prepare us to begin our look at His incarnational names tomorrow.

Among Isaiah’s numerous messianic prophecies are four remarkable “Servant Songs” (Isa. 42:1, 2, 3, 4; 49:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; 50:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; and 52:13–53:12). We will look only at the last one, but anyone who reads all four will be blessed. Contrary to the political messiah anticipated by many, the Servant Songs suggested a very different Redeemer. Let’s look at Isaiah 52:13–53:12 to discover the Servant’s mission and how Jesus fulfilled it.

In Isaiah 52:14, we read that the Servant’s appearance was disfigured and His form marred. Mark 15:17, 18, 19 describes the terrible beating Jesus received just prior to His crucifixion. Isaiah 53:1, 3 says that the Servant will be rejected; Mark’s gospel recounts the horrible insults and mockery Jesus received on the cross (Mk 15:31, 32). Isaiah 53:7, 8 says the Servant will be like a silent lamb led to slaughter. All four gospels affirm Jesus’ silence during the sham trial He endured (Matt. 26:63; Mark 15:5; Luke 23:9; John 19:9). Finally, Isaiah 53:12 says that the Servant will bear “the sin of many, and [make] intercession for the transgressors” 2Corinthians 5:21 says that God made “him who had no sin to be sin for us.”

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TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Although Comet Hale-Bopp has been in the news a lot this year, on a Sunday in late March it was just one of the attractions in the night sky. In what one report called ""an astronomical triple play,"" the comet made its closest approach to earth while a full moon and a near-total lunar eclipse occurred on the same evening. The only problem were the clouds that hid part of the otherwise amazing show.

People will gather in good viewing places and climb to the roofs of their houses to get a look at an unusual occurrence in the sky. When Jesus Christ, the Servant of the Lord, returns to earth again, every eye will be on Him. And there will be nothing to draw attention away from His glorious coming.

The fourth and final Servant Song of Isaiah (Isa 52:13-53:12) opens with the declaration that the Servant will one day be ""lifted up and highly exalted"" (v. 13). Jesus spoke of being lifted up at His death on the Cross (Jn. 12:32), and this Song certainly focuses on many of the details of His suffering.

But the reference here is to the Servant's exaltation at God's right hand, not to His suffering. In fact, Isaiah used similar language of exaltation to describe God Himself (Isa. 6:1).

The Servant's exaltation makes a striking contrast to the appalling sight of Jesus' body by the time Pilate's soldiers finished beating and flogging Him. Imagine the weakened and bloodied Jesus, brought out to the crowd and introduced by Pilate with the words, ""Here is your king"" (Jn. 19:14).

Now picture our Lord returning in power and glory! Because of His sacrifice on the Cross, He is able to ""sprinkle"" many people in His role as Priest, cleansing them from their sins.

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My servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. - Isaiah 52:13

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Marcus and Narcissa Whitman became martyrs for the gospel due to a tragic mistake. The young missionary doctor and his wife headed for the American Northwest in 1836 to minister to Native Americans in the Oregon Territory. They worked among the Cayuse tribe until 1847, when an epidemic of measles killed a number of children. The Cayuse mistakenly thought Dr. Whitman had caused the disease, and they murdered both him and his wife.

Many of God’s servants have been martyred by people who were blinded by hatred and lack of understanding. Jesus said we should not be surprised when the world persecutes His disciples, because that’s the way He Himself was treated (Jn. 15:18, 19, 20, 21). God’s Servant-Messiah suffered at the hands of sinners in ways we will never completely understand.

The prophet Isaiah saw a glimpse of Christ’s arrest, trial, and suffering. This final section of the “Servant Songs” (52:13-53:12) deals with the Servant’s suffering--except for the last verse, which looks forward to His exaltation. Despite Christ’s terrible suffering, the end of the story will be glorious.

Yesterday we talked about the Servant’s holy character and the total injustice of His mistreatment. This thought is repeated in God’s statement, “My servant will act wisely” (Isa 52:13). Jesus always did what His Father wanted Him to do (Jn. 8:29). Our Savior’s perfect obedience, even to the cross (Phil. 2:8), is the reason He is “highly exalted” in heaven.

Why were so many people “appalled” or astonished at Jesus? The text suggests that one reason was the terrible physical abuse He underwent during His trials and crucifixion. It’s not hard to imagine the crowds in Jerusalem staring in horror at what their leaders and the Romans did to Jesus.

But there could be more to this astonishment. Isaiah says in verse 15 that kings and nations will be speechless when they finally realize the awful mistake they made by putting to death the only one who can provide cleansing for sin. This will happen when the Servant who had no physical beauty (Isa. 53:2) will be revealed in glorious splendor at His second coming.

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Today is devoted to expressing our love to the special people in our lives.

The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5
TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Pang Suk-fong, age 20, had her whole life ahead of her. As she walked down a Hong Kong street one day, no doubt her head was filled with questions and thoughts of the future. But a freak, tragic accident ended her life that very afternoon. A heavy bucket filled with paint fell from the window of a hotel under construction and killed her instantly.

If this young woman had known what was going to happen, what do you think she would have done? Probably walked down a different street, one with no construction hazards. Or if she’d looked up and saw that paint can dropping, she would have jumped out of the way. That’s common sense. People have a great desire to preserve their own lives!

Consider, then, our Lord Jesus. He knew He was going to die. He knew He was going to be separated from His Father. He knew He would pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world. But He didn’t jump out of the way. He didn’t choose a different road. He was totally obedient to the will of His Father.

This had been God’s plan of redemption all along, and had been prophesied numerous times in Israel’s history. In this month of studying how Christ fulfills the Old Testament sacrifices, we turn now during this Passion Week to His sacrifice: His death and resurrection. He is the sacrificial “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29).

In today’s famous “suffering servant” reading, much of Isaiah’s language is similarly sacrificial. The Messiah will be like a sacrificial lamb or scapegoat, taking the punishment we deserved. Although He will pay the price for our wrongdoing, we won’t understand. We will despise Him and continue to go astray. This prophecy clearly indicates a doctrine of substitutionary atonement (Is. 53:4, 5, 6, 7).

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TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

A powerful empire-builder once wrote this about Jesus Christ: ""I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires, and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not exist...Everything in Christ astonishes me. His spirit overawes men, and His will confounds me. Between Him and whoever else in the world there is no comparison. He is truly a being by Himself.""

It may surprise you to find that these words were uttered by Napoleon Bonaparte, since history does not usually present him in this light. But whether our surprise is valid, the emperor's astonishment at the Person and message of Jesus Christ is perfectly placed. There is no one like the Lord's Servant.

In fact, Napoleon's astonishment at Christ will be shared by the nation of Israel. Someday Israel will, along with many Gentile nations, realize that they badly misunderstood who Jesus was at His first coming. He came as the promised Messiah in fulfillment of prophecy but was rejected.

Speaking for the Jewish remnant who will experience restoration in the Messiah's millennial reign (Isa. 49:8, 9), Isaiah laments the disbelief surrounding the Servant's message. This is all the more regrettable because the Servant's career was a testimony to the power of God. Isa 53:1 in today's text even says that He is the Lord's ""arm""!

Isaiah then cites the reasons Israel failed to esteem the Servant. Jesus' origins did not suggest greatness, although He was a descendant of David (Isa 11:1). Likewise, there was nothing in Jesus' appearance or bearing that would magnetically draw people to Him.

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Today's reading brings to mind another timeless principle of how God views each of us.

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

According to a news item from last year, King Hussein of Jordan pardoned a man who had been given a three-year sentence for slandering him. Hussein not only pardoned his critic, but went to the prison personally, took the man by the hand and led him from his cell, then gave him a ride home. The king explained his actions by saying that he could not hold a grudge and that the man's imprisonment was a burden on his soul.

This is an amazing account of a pardon. What prisoner would not be astounded to look up and see the king or the president, reaching out a hand to lead him to freedom? For those who know Jesus Christ this is a wonderful reality, not a daydream or a story off the news wire.

But look at the cost Jesus paid to free us from our sins. Our King did not simply issue a royal decree of pardon. He suffered every stroke of punishment our sins deserved. His body was pierced by the nails in His hands and the spear jabbed in His side. His wounds poured out blood by which the injuries that sin inflicted on us were healed (Isa 53:5).

Yet Isaiah makes it clear that the Servant's suffering was not a cruel accident or a twist of fate. His body and spirit were crushed by the Father, who made His sinless Son to be sin for us so that we might have His righteousness (2Cor. 5:21).

Do you see the tremendous paradox in these verses and others we have studied in the Servant Songs? Isaiah presents the portrait of a Servant who is also a King, an unimpressive and largely unnoticed Person before whom the kings of the earth will someday bow.

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Living a life of sin can be as bleak and lonely as being locked up in a dark prison cell. Is there a friend or loved one of yours who is still held in this type of bondage? It is not God's will that anyone be lost (2Pet. 3:9-note). In light of this, you can pray confidently for the Holy Spirit to draw this person to Christ!

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

The ministry of David Brainerd, a missionary to the Indians of New York and New Jersey, has touched countless people for Christ over the past two centuries. And this is despite the fact that he died in 1747 at the age of twenty-nine. After his health began to deteriorate, Brainerd went to live with the great preacher Jonathan Edwards. Brainerd died at the Edwards' home, leaving behind his devotional journals, which Edwards compiled and edited. The resulting work was widely read in America and Great Britain after Brainerd's death and is still available today.

From a human standpoint, we could say that David Brainerd's life was cut dramatically short. But God does not measure life by years only. His Servant was also ""cut off from the land of the living"" (Isa 53:8) at an early age, though He completed the work God gave Him to do.

Today we continue our study of this classic Servant Song. For anyone who knows the story of Jesus, these are familiar words and images, fulfilled in the life and death of our suffering Savior.

We talked earlier this month about Jesus' silence in the face of His accusers. His trials were a mockery, so He refused to dignify the proceedings by trying to defend Himself against the charges. The only time He broke silence was to answer the question of whether He was the Son of God (Mt. 26:62, 63, 64).

The innocence of Jesus was firmly established in prophecy before the occasion of His trials prior to His crucifixion. He was, on the human side, the object of oppression and unjust judgment. He was condemned not for His own crimes, but for the sins of others (Isa 53:8). He was free of any wrong (Isa 53 9).

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Pastor and Moody Press author Alistair Begg once said that while believers may die early, they never die prematurely. His point is that God's sovereign power is able to preserve us until we have fulfilled His will for us. As someone else has said, this means that you are immortal in the will of God!

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

John Bell received a new heart pacemaker this year at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Mr. Bell had outlived the battery on his old pacemaker, which was put in eleven years ago. The surgery was newsworthy because Mr. Bell is 115 years old and is in good health. The doctor who replaced the pacemaker said he would be delighted to provide Mr. Bell with a new one when he is 125 years old!

Most people enjoy hearing about someone who seems to defy the ravages of aging and who enjoys a long life. The Servant of the Lord will enjoy prolonged life (Isa 53:10) after being ""cut off"" from the living by His death and burial (see vv. 8-9).

Once again, we see how Christ's death and resurrection give full meaning to Isaiah's prophecy. The "offspring" of the Servant are those who believe on Him and become His children (Jn 1:12). Our hope of resurrection and new life would be in vain if Christ were not raised (1Co 15:16, 17, 18, 19).

In these closing, triumphant verses of Isaiah's Servant Songs, we still read of the Servant's suffering and death--a death of humiliation as He was executed like a common criminal. But by now we have seen a common thread running through these references. Far from being merely tragic or unjust, the Servant's terrible suffering and agonizing death is wonderfully beneficial, securing eternal salvation for all who will believe on Him.

Isa 53:11 is a clear affirmation of Jesus' saving power. The phrase ""His knowledge"" probably means ""by knowledge of Him""--Peter said there is no other name on earth in which salvation can be found except the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).

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It was not with perishable things that you were redeemed . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. -

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

If you hang out much with the five-and-under crowd, you know that baby lambs are especially popular at the local children’s petting zoo. Their gentle bleating, velvety noses, and soft wool make them irresistible. Perhaps this also explains why the song “Mary Had a Little Lamb” has remained in the Top Ten with this same crowd for so long!

This imagery is sometimes hard to reconcile with our understanding of the Exalted Christ, seated in victory at the right hand of the Father. It’s often easier for us to understand how we are like sheep than to grasp how He’s like a lamb.

On the one hand, the innocence and gentleness of a lamb accords well with our understanding of Jesus, but on the other hand a lamb’s dependence and vulnerability seem incompatible with the Risen Christ. A brief survey of the Bible, however, shows just how the powerful image of a lamb deepens our appreciation of Jesus Christ.

You may recall from the Exodus narrative how the Lord commanded each Israelite family to sacrifice a lamb in preparation for the departure from Egypt (Ex 12:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32). The lamb was to be roasted and completely consumed. Some of the blood from the slain lamb, however, was to be put on each family’s doorposts so that the destructive plague sent by the Lord would “pass over” its house. In a very dramatic way, the Passover lamb prefigured another sacrificial Lamb whose innocent blood was shed for those who believed in Him.

Isaiah drew upon this sacrificial understanding of a lamb when he wrote about the Suffering Servant. Notice how he described the Servant as One who took on our infirmities and sorrows (Isa 53:4)? Like an innocent lamb led to slaughter (Isa 53:7), He died to pay the price of our sin.

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But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. - John 12:32

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Yesterday we mentioned the divine irony of the Servant being the most highly exalted. Today we see another divine irony: the Cross. What appeared to be a terrible defeat, is really the dramatic victory of God.

It might be tempting for some people to see the crucifixion of Jesus as an accident. How could God let His Son be put to death so cruelly? But Isaiah 53 predicts the suffering of Jesus and gives us a vivid account of His crucifixion, assuring us that the Cross was no surprise or accident for God.

We’re looking at this passage during the Christmas season because it is central to why Jesus was born. Isaiah 53 is also one of the most personal chapters--notice how many times the pronouns our, us, and we appear. There is no doubt that the suffering and death of Jesus is related to us and our sinful condition. It is not some event that we can dissect analytically without getting involved.

What is the connection between the Cross and us? Jesus bore our sins, our transgressions and iniquities. And His punishment brought us peace and healing (Isa 53:5, 6). As we read the description of our sin and Jesus’ pain, we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that He would love us enough to pay this price.

Each one of us has sinned, and Isaiah made it clear that when Christ died on the Cross, He willingly took our place. He died alone with our sins upon Him.

The first nine verses tell of the suffering of the Savior, but the remaining verses tell of His glory. God had foreordained the Cross to accomplish our redemption (Isa 53:10). Jesus not only died, but He rose again from the grave in victory (Isa 53:11).

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At first glance, it might be easy to miss the intensely personal words in Isaiah 53. As you reflect on Christ’s work for you, read through this chapter of Isaiah again. This time, use pronouns I, my, and mine. Insert your own name where it says “for many.”

He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. - Isaiah 53:5

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

As George Washington made his way to New York for his presidential inauguration, he was honored with grand celebrations everywhere he went. The nation was in love with its Revolutionary War hero and premiere President. But John Adams Washington’s Vice-President, received no such celebration. He told his wife Abigail, “My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.”

Some would say things haven’t changed much since 1789. The office of Vice-President is still unglamorous, and its many responsibilities are rarely recognized publicly. Many of the people who have held it are easily overlooked in history, remembered only as the answers to trivia questions.

Some of the most important Christians are servants who escape recognition and praise. By definition, servants do their work away from the spotlight. They rarely draw attention to themselves, and they don’t stand out in a crowd.

Jesus perfectly fit the profile of a servant in His first advent. He was born in the most humble circumstances without much public attention. Even the nation’s religious leaders, who knew Micah’s prophecy concerning Messiah’s birth (Matt. 2:5, 6), didn’t bother to go to Bethlehem to verify the Magi’s report.

Isaiah also prophesied that the Servant would come from such an unlikely place (“dry ground,” Isa 53:2) that people would easily overlook Him. Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth was so obscure that even one of His disciples was shocked by the idea of Messiah being a Nazarene (Jn. 1:46, see the Feb. 20 study).

The Messiah would not be visually stunning or adorned with splendor. It’s true that Jesus often drew large crowds. But the people were drawn mostly by His miracles and the power of His words, and they turned away from Him in His suffering. The prophet’s words were fulfilled in Jesus--but His rejection and suffering had a purpose. Our Lord’s crushing, humiliating death brought us healing from the deadly disease of sin. God laid this suffering on His Servant for our sake, and the Servant bore it willingly!

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Imagine sitting in a prison cell, having been found guilty of a crime, when the message comes that someone else has taken the punishment. You are forgiven, and free to go. That’s what Christ has done for us. He’s set us free from the imprisonment of sin! And we can offer that message of freedom to people who are still carrying the guilt of their sin. Who can you share the good news with this week?

I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong. - Isaiah 53:12

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Here’s a footnote to yesterday’s illustration about the inauguration of George Washington. The April 30, 1789 event--the first of its kind--brought this gushing report from a Baltimore newspaper: “Perhaps that day has exhibited what has never happened before in any part of the globe; above three millions of people, scattered over a country of vast extent, of opposite habits and different manners, all fixing their hopes on the same man, and unanimously voting for him only.”

Perhaps that reporter got a little carried away with the excitement of the event. However, his description of Washington’s first inauguration gives us a small sense of what it will be like when the Messiah is inaugurated as King of Kings and Lord of Lords at His second coming.

Isaiah closes this Servant Song with a brief reference to Christ’s future glory (Isa 53:12). The picture is of a victorious general, taking the spoils of victory from His enemies and dividing them among His own forces.

The people of Israel loved the concept of their Messiah as a conquering warrior and king. Many Israelites in Jesus’ day were longing for Messiah to return and crush the hated Roman army that was occupying Palestine.

What so many of the people missed, though, was the fact that Messiah did appear in their time. But He came as a submissive Servant, giving His life as a ransom for sin. Jesus Himself said it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and die before entering His glory (Lk. 24:26).

Isaiah saw the same truth, although he probably didn’t understand all the details of the prophecies he recorded. That makes the accuracy of Isa 53:7, 8, 9, 10, 11 even more astonishing. Every major detail of Jesus’ suffering is present: His silence in the face of His accusers, His death (“cut off”) for the sins of others, His burial in a rich man’s tomb (Matt. 27:57, 58, 59, 60), and His resurrection (“he will see the light of life,” Isa 53:11).

A Savior like Jesus Christ deserves ultimate glory. Someday, the whole world will see the inauguration of His kingdom.

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Isaiah 52--53 give us an overwhelming picture of the price Jesus had to pay to satisfy God’s judgment against sin. Salvation is God’s “indescribable gift” to us (2Cor. 9:15).

We all, like sheep, have gone astray.... and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

In a recent issue of Worldwide Challenge magazine, Erik Segalini relates this story from the life of Andrew Murray, the South African pastor and author whose works still have great influence today.

Murray was once riding to the aid of someone who needed him, crossing seventy miles of wolf-infested plain to do so. At one point Murray stopped to let his horse graze, but the animal sensed the presence of wolves and galloped away. Murray was forced to continue the dangerous journey on foot. ""I prayed to God to keep me and walked straight on,"" Murray explained. ""The wolves snapped at me but did not touch me.""

Andrew Murray's experience in the wilds of nineteenth-century South Africa provides a helpful illustration of Jesus Christ's journey on earth. Jesus moved among ""wolves"" as the innocent Lamb of God, withholding His lion-like power. His enemies sought to attack and harm Him. And while they did tear His flesh (Ps 22:13-note) and hang Him on the cross, they could not keep Him from accomplishing His mission of redemption.

Isaiah 53 is one of the most remarkable prophecies in the Old Testament. It is a panorama of Jesus' life from His incarnation to His death, resurrection, and exaltation by God. Jesus' rejection by the nation of Israel is explained, though not excused, by the fact that He was unremarkable in His physical appearance (Isa 53:2). The Messiah was ""despised and rejected"" rather than receiving the esteem He was due (Isa 53:3).

But this man who was considered to be unimportant by those in power died as a substitute for the sins of the entire human race. All of us had gone astray like sheep, so Jesus became the lamb who willingly subjected Himself to suffering and humiliation to save us.

The prophet also wrote that Jesus would be cut off in the prime of life with no descendants (Isa 53:8). And, even though God's Servant died, Isaiah prophesied that He would again see ""the light of life"" (Isa 53:11) and enjoy exaltation among the great and strong (Isa 53:12)--because He was willing to give His life for the sins of the world.

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""Who has believed our message?"", Isaiah asked (Isa 53:1). This was a lament for the relative few who would believe the prophecy concerning Israel's Messiah. Believing the message about Jesus Christ is still the most important issue anyone could face today. This Easter season is a wonderful time to bring lost friends and family members to the Lord in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to open their eyes to the truth about the Savior who died for them on the cross. Also, pray that God will use you as a witness to those around you this month.

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. - Isaiah 62:5b

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

A recent study by Rutgers University found that fewer Americans are getting married these days, and that of those who do, fewer than ever say they are “very happy.” The national marriage rate has dropped 43 percent over the last four decades, with many couples opting to live together outside marriage.

One of the study’s authors believes that popular culture reinforces this trend: “With the breakdown of the family, peer culture, including pop culture, has gotten stronger. Nothing could be more anti-marriage than much of popular culture.”

In such times, it’s more important than ever that believers have a biblical understanding of marriage. Along these lines, it’s instructive to consider today’s reading and the biblical metaphor of God as Husband.

In the Old Testament, prophets frequently spoke of God as a husband and Israel as a faithless wife, whoring after idols (see, for example, Jer. 3:8, 9 or Ezek. 16:32, 33, 34). But, even though He had every right to divorce her, God pursued and loved Israel nonetheless.

That’s what we find in today’s reading. God is Israel’s husband (Isa 54:5). His key attributes in this regard are His “everlasting kindness” and “unfailing love” (Isa 54:8, 10). Both qualities translate the important Hebrew word hesed, often used of God’s covenant faithfulness. For a moment, God sent Israel away, but He “will call [her] back as if [she] were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit” (v. 6). He is her Redeemer (Isa 54:5, 8).

The context for this passage is God’s promise that Israel will one day return from exile and prosper. As we saw yesterday, He exiled the nation as discipline for her sins. However, “His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime” (Ps 30:5-note). As in the days of Noah, sin had to be punished, but mercy will ultimately win (Isa 54:9).

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All the trees of the field will clap their hands. - Isaiah 55:12

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

In the sermon “The Garden of Graces,” seventeenth century English preacher Thomas Hooker compares the heart to a garden. This garden produces offensive weeds as well as wholesome herbs that send up sweet fragrance to God. The rain that waters this garden is God’s Word, for Hooker notes that in Scripture “God’s Word is often compared to Rain or Dew.” When the Word falls on the heart, it cools its heat, quenches its thirst, cleans the air, softens its hardened earth, and causes things to grow.

In Isaiah, God’s Word is also likened to rainfall that nourishes the earth. Rain does not fall without effect but acts and alters the environment. It produces the harvest that yields seed, the origin of sustenance, and also bread, its end product. So too, God’s Word spoken into the world causes active fruitful change (Isa 55:11)--“seeds” and “bread” of a spiritual kind.

The harvest is recorded in Isa 55:11,12. Isaiah speaks here of the release of Israel from the Babylonian captivity. God’s promise to free them, God says, is the beginning of a chain reaction. While, like rain, it doesn’t instantly produce bread (results), it does start a process that will.

God’s promise to Israel is not simply release from slavery, but jubilant freedom. God declares they will “go out with joy and be led forth in peace.” What’s more, the whole earth will rejoice with them as they resume their God-given place in it. This celebration prefigures the joy of creation at the ultimate release of all God’s people.

In contrast to the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt through the desert, this future return is associated with lush vegetation. Trees in the desert, as we have seen, are a sign of God’s grace, providing shade and water.

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Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters. - Isaiah 55:1

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

If you were to hit the streets of your area and take a poll, it might take you a while to find any people who could say they have never prayed--even once--in their lives. Prayer is typically a universal human response to fear, trouble, or pain. As the old saying goes, ""There are no atheists in foxholes.""

But the world's concept of prayer often falls far short of biblical truth. A lot of people pray the way they shop.

When shoppers want an item in a store, they simply take it off the shelf, lay it on the counter, and give their money to the clerk. There is no discussion of the shopper's character or relationship to the store owner. All that matters is the purchaser's desire to have his or her request granted. One person's money is as good as another's.

People pray in times of need because they believe prayer has power. And they're right--except that the unbeliever overlooks the fact that to God, prayer is a family matter.

A person who does not know God cannot merely run into His presence and demand something. Similarly, the neighbor kids can't burst through your front door tonight and ask that you feed them supper and give them lunch money for tomorrow. They are not your children. There is no relationship in place to warrant that kind of request.

There is one prayer, though, that any non-Christian can pray with confidence. The prophet Isaiah issued a powerful invitation for unbelievers to come to the Lord for salvation while the door is still open.

Does this limitation on access to God contradict what we studied yesterday? No, Isaiah was writing in a context of salvation and God's judgment. The Bible is consistent in warning lost people that, although God is always ready to receive them in repentance and salvation, His patience will one day run out (2Pet. 3:9, 10-note).

However, look at the richness of God's invitation to the sinner: mercy and free pardon. Only He could conceive a plan like this to forgive and bless the very people who rebelled against Him; His thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours.

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Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. - Isaiah 55:7b

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

When told to go and preach in Nineveh, the capital city of Israel’s enemy, Assyria, Jonah refused. In fact, he ran in the opposite direction, willfully disobeying God’s command. God caught up with him, of course, and the prophet ended up in the belly of a great fish.

From there, he repented and cried out to God, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. . . . To the roots of the mountains I sank down. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. . . . Salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).

Jonah knew the key truth found in today’s reading: God always answers the one who repents (Isa 55:7). There is no uncertainty--God doesn’t sometimes answer, sometimes not. When a sinner repents, God answers, guaranteed. It doesn’t matter how bad the sin is, and His forgiveness doesn’t depend upon the “correct” phrasing of the confession. It doesn’t matter how old the sin is or how many times it’s been done.

All that matters is repentance. To repent means to be honest with God and to turn from your sin. To be honest with God is to reveal to Him exactly what you’ve done--no hiding, no rationalizing. To turn from your sin is to renounce it and recommit yourself to a righteous life (cf. Pr 28:13).

In today’s reading, Isaiah spoke in a specific historical context to the Jewish exiles, but also in a general theological context about God’s salvation. Because sinners turn to God, and because God pours out His lovingkindness on them, the nations will see His glory. Repentance and forgiveness will be a worldwide witness, a promise ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

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Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. - Isaiah 55:6

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

As the wife of Adoniram Judson, one of America's first missionaries, Ann Judson shared her husband's devotion to Christ and his passion for the lost. The Judsons arrived in Burma in 1812 and spent their lives sharing Christ with the Burmese people.

Ann revealed her heart when she said, ""Might I be the means of converting a single soul, it would be worth spending all my days to accomplish."" Though Ann's days were short--she died in Burma at age 36--God used her and Adoniram in mighty ways.

Ann and Adoniram Judson were able to offer the people of Burma the gift of salvation because of a faithful God who is calling all nations to Himself. The invitation of Isaiah 55 is issued specifically to the Gentiles, the people outside of Israel who are urged to come to ""the Holy One of Israel"" and be saved.

The wonderful logic of salvation is expressed in Isa 55:1, 2. Why should people spend their lives on that which leaves them empty and unsatisfied, when God offers a place at His banquet table to anyone who turns to Him in faith? This is an offer we can give to anyone with joy and conviction.

God's desire is to save; and His salvation, the new covenant under which we live, is an everlasting promise (Isa 55:3). But while God's guarantee of salvation is eternal, the opportunity for salvation is not (Isa 55:6, 7).

This is one reason for the sense of passion and urgency that characterizes the ministry of the gospel. God has an abundance of mercy and pardon for every sinner who seeks Him, but the day will come when sinners will no longer find God to be a God of mercy and salvation, but a God of judgment.

Some people who hear the plan of salvation think it is too good to be true. They wonder how it can be that when we give God our sin and hopelessness, He gives us eternal life and the riches of heaven. Who would have conceived such a plan? Only the God whose thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours!

Nobody has a better offer than God's offer of salvation. Let's not keep it to ourselves.

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Do you have a salvation plan available by which you can open your Bible and guide another person through the basics of the gospel?

This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right.” - Isaiah 56:1a

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Karl Menninger, the famous psychiatrist, once gave a lecture on medical health and answered questions from the audience. Someone asked, “What would you advise a person to do if that person felt a nervous breakdown coming on?” Most people thought he would say “Go see a psychiatrist immediately,” but he didn’t. To their astonishment, Dr. Menninger replied, “Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, find somebody in need, and help that person.”

Dr. Menniger had a firm grasp on the fact that helping others is, oftentimes, the best way to help oneself. And in today’s passage Isaiah gave a similar message to the people of Israel: if you want to be blessed by God, be a blessing to others. This is true worship.

Isaiah responded to the renewed observances of fasting and the Sabbath in today’s reading. Unfortunately, these observances did not accompany true humility and the prophet was used to voice God’s rebuke. Isaiah 58:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 address the people’s frustration that God does not hear them despite their fasting. But Isaiah finds two problems: their fasting is insincere (Isa 58:3) and it is not accompanied by any regard for the needy (Isa 58:6). The people were relying on religious formalism to gain them God’s attention, when what God truly desires is justice lived out in every sphere of life. “Your fasting end in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high . . . Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” (Isa 58:4, 6).

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They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61:3b

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

In ancient Canaanite religion, trees symbolized fertility. Fertility rituals often took place under sacred trees, symbolizing participation in the earth’s life. These rituals were believed to bring better harvests, more children, and increased vitality. But as we see from Isaiah 1 and 61, this misplaced worship brought death instead of life.

In the next four studies we’ll see that Scripture uses trees to symbolize Israel. In Isaiah 1, Israel is rebuked for putting its delight in “sacred oaks” and special gardens, places devoted to pagan sacrifices and fertility rituals. Instead of trusting its Creator for fullness of life, Israel trusted His creatures. The result? Lifelessness and spiritual drought. “You will be like an oak with fading leaves,” the Lord says, “a garden without water” (Isa 1:30). Delight in anything apart from the Life Giver eventually leads to spiritual barrenness.

Isaiah 61 speaks of the restoration of the faithful in Israel after the Exile. In a series of opposing poetic images, this passage prophesies how the Lord will exchange Israel’s barrenness for new life. Instead of ashes, there will be beauty; instead of mourning, gladness; instead of despair, praise (Isa 61:3). The final line of this verse, which is easy to miss, recalls the image of Isaiah 1--instead of dying idolatrous oaks, “they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

By returning to its Maker, Israel will thrive. In the same way, by recognizing that we are the work of God’s hands (Isa. 60:21) and that creating life is His work, not ours, we grow. Because we worship Him, we will image Him; we will display His splendor.

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The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. - Isaiah 61:1a

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

In Luke 4:18–19 Jesus quoted the words of Isaiah 61:1, 2 as He read from the scroll to the people in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth. Jesus ended His reading with the words, “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Isa. 61:2).

With all eyes fastened on Jesus, He rolled up the scroll and said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). In His hometown synagogue Jesus proclaimed Himself as the One who would bring this to pass.

When Isaiah originally wrote these words, his people faced desolation at the hand of Babylon. Therefore, Isaiah was probably referring to Christ’s first coming to earth. This passage speaks of the second coming of Christ as well as the first, and the two are only separated by a little and in verse 2. Today, however, we realize the time between the two is at least two thousand years.

Let’s look at the first and second comings of Christ as tall mountains, and the time between as a valley where we presently stand. We can look back at the first mountain to the birth, death on the cross, and resurrection of Christ, but we can’t see the top of the second mountain. When Jesus comes again, He will put down the rebellion here on earth with righteous wrath, and it won’t be a pretty scene.

Yet immediately following the day of vengeance, Jesus will “comfort all who mourn” (Isa 61:2). Those who mourn over their sin and are obedient to Him will be comforted with a “crown of beauty,” “oil of gladness,” and a “garment of praise” (Isa 61:3).

As Isaiah 61 continues, we see how thoroughly God restores what is broken (Isa 61:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). We also see how we should respond: “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness” (Isa 61:10).

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The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. - Isaiah 61:1

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

There wasn’t a person in the synagogue at Nazareth that Sabbath who knew what was going to happen when Jesus appeared (Lk. 4:16). They knew who He was, or so they thought. Judging by the people’s violent reaction to Jesus, there must have been some latent jealousy and hostility toward the Lord in His hometown.

Jesus read from the Scriptures and addressed the worshipers. He was given the scroll of Isaiah, and He unrolled it to Isaiah 61, reading to the midpoint of verse 2 and then handing the scroll back to the synagogue attendant (Isa 61:17, 18, 19, 20, 21).

Jesus concluded His reading with the proclamation of “the year of the LORD’s favor.” When Jesus presented Himself as the Messiah and Savior, he introduced the favor of God into the world.

Jesus was precise in His reading because of the message He had for Israel: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk. 4:21). Jesus’ words impressed the worshipers in Nazareth, but they couldn’t see Him as more than the son of Mary and Joseph. Their growing resentment, and the attempt to kill Jesus (Lk 4:28, 29, 30), became an object lesson of the nation’s disbelief.

Isaiah had prophesied Christ’s rejection at the hands of Israel (Isa. 53:3), but there is no hint of this in chapter 61. In fact, most of the chapter is devoted to the benefits that Messiah’s reign will bring to God’s chosen people.

These Messianic benefits will bring an end to suffering, especially that of Israel during the Tribulation. Those who have believed in Him will trade mourning and despair for joy and praise. Israel will have a definite ministry in the kingdom, as the light to the nations that God had always intended her to be (Isa. 61:5, 6).

Together, all believers will appear at the kingdom reception as Christ’s bride (Isa. 61:10). This will be a time of great rejoicing in the reign of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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The people of Nazareth weren’t really ready to hear from God, even though they were in the middle of a worship service. That ought to tell us that spiritual sensitivity is more a matter of the heart than of location. Last Sunday we encouraged you to begin each day’s study by praying for a willing spirit and a listening ear. Today let’s take it a step further. If the Holy Spirit wanted to speak to you about something today, or this weekend, how much competition would He have for your attention?

Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. - Isaiah 65:17

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

If you walk around the main Chicago campus of Moody Bible Institute, you’ll soon notice our blue recycling bins. Our students and staff use them conscientiously, depositing various recyclables on a regular basis.

Has someone finished drinking a can of soda pop or a bottle of juice? There are blue bins for aluminum and glass. Is a staff member finished with a memo or a report? There’s a blue bin for paper. What about all the cardboard boxes at Moody Press? They, too, are baled up and sent to a recycling plant.

We recycle from a desire to be good stewards of creation, and know that through recycling we honor the Creator. In faith, we understand that all He created is good (Ge 1:31; 1Ti 4:4, 5), and wait eagerly for the new creation He has promised: “We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2Pe 3:13-note).

Concluding this month’s study, we want to encourage you with a quick look at this new creation, today in the Old Testament and tomorrow in the New. We won’t be trying to sort out a timeline of what happens when, just pulling back the curtain and seeing what’s there.

In the totally new order of things (Isa 65:17) described in today’s reading (cf. Ps. 102:25-note, Ps 102:26-note; Isa. 11:6, 7, 8, 9), there will be no sorrow or weeping (Is 65:19). Nothing that could cause them pain will be there--for example, there will be no deaths (Isa 65:20).

People will live peacefully, tending fruitful farms (Isa 65:21). (This is an image of an ideal life, not necessarily everyone’s literal vocation.) Injustice and oppression will not exist (Isa 65:22; contrast Deut. 28:30, 31, 32, 33). In short, the inhabitants of this new earth will be a “people blessed by the Lord” (Isa 65:23).

Israel thought only of returning from exile, but God had greater things in mind than what they had prayed for (Isa 65:24). He loves His people, and does not need to be begged.

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Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. - Revelation 3:20-note

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

Sometimes cartoons contain a wealth of theology. Consider a Family Circus cartoon in which a father overhears his son’s evening prayers: “Listen to this, God, here’s an offer you can’t refuse.” Although we may chuckle at its candor, this cartoon pinpoints a common misconception about prayer–namely, prayer is about getting God to do something for us.

At its core, however, prayer is not about getting something but about entering into the presence of Someone. Bob Benson and Michael W. Benson, a father-son team who coauthored Disciplines for the Inner Life, wrote, “Prayer is the movement of God to humanity and humanity to God, the act of meeting.” This view of prayer changes our perspective and opens the door to deep communion with our Heavenly Father, who is eager for such a relationship. Consider today’s verse from Isaiah: “. . . before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

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The format for this month will be a bit different. Although we will look at many Bible passages and Christian thinkers’ views on prayer, the feel will be more “hands-on” as we explore various approaches to prayer.

TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL

""The largest land empire the world has ever seen"" is the way one writer describes the vast area across Asia that was conquered by the Mongol hordes of the early thirteenth century. Riding out of their homeland, these huge armies swept east and south to conquer everything in their path. They were led by a remarkable ruler who was given the title Genghis Khan, which means ""universal ruler.""

Every earthly empire, it seems, tries to extend its borders as far as warfare, diplomacy or economics will permit. And every empire seeks to elevate its leaders by giving them exalted titles that suggest absolute power and authority.

But there is only one all-encompassing throne, and only one universal Ruler. ""The Lord Almighty--He is the King of glory"" declares the psalmist (Ps. 24:10-note). One of the most important truths we need to know about heaven is that above all else, heaven is the exalted place from which God rules over His creation.

The Bible does not give us an exact location for heaven. But biblical language makes it clear that by any standard of measurement, heaven is far above the earth. That truth is clearly evident in the incredible word-picture God gives us in Isaiah 66.

To the Lord the earth is a ""footstool,"" a place, speaking metaphorically, on which to prop His feet. This imagery doesn't suggest that God is indifferent or callous toward earth and its inhabitants, as if He were an inattentive monarch. Instead, the picture is one of rulership and majesty.

In fact, as we will see next Sunday, God is anything but an uninvolved ruler. He inhabits heaven's throne not only as King, but also as Judge. God is ever watchful over His subjects, both those who are in rebellion against Him and those who obey Him.

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