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| MY DEVOTIONAL MARCH 2003 |
| (Isaiah Chapter 52: 13 - 53: 12) (Click Here to read the passage) As we near Easter our thoughts inevitably revert to the crucifixion of our Saviour Jesus Christ that took place all those years ago. Yet in our hearts and minds, as Christians, it is as if it was only yesterday that He suffered so cruelly on that cross as a substitute for our sins in order that we would be able to come closer to our Heavenly Father and enter the Kingdom of Heaven and receive eternal life. In this months reading we see Isaiah having foretold this event seven centuries before it actually happened but in such a way that it would appear as if it had already happened. To the people of Israel the Messiah was thought to be someone who would be majestic and outstanding in appearance and who would take on the form of a King and ruler of the people. With this picture in their minds they were unable to recognise or acknowledge Jesus as the true Messiah and were thus so blinded by their misguided views to be able to accept Jesus for who He really was and to know that this man could bring them the salvation that they needed. Sadly they completely turned their backs on Him and He was "despised and rejected by men" (Ch 53: 3). For many people today this is still the case and they refuse to acknowledge Jesus and find it difficult to accept the fact that He died on the cross for our sins - "he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Ch 53: 5.) Isaiah then goes on to say that- "we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all". When he is saying that we have all gone astray he is referring to the original sin and that right from birth we have been destined to sin because of the first sin by Adam and Eve. As sheep who have all gone astray we therefore need a Shepherd to help us, guide us and to watch over us and to ultimately show us the right path to salvation. The mention that "each of us has turned to his own way" is now more of a personal statement of our own individual sin. However we must also remember that we are not a sinner because we sin but that we sin because we are a sinner. "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth" - Yes Jesus allowed all of this suffering without saying a word and took upon himself the role of the Lamb offered for the sins of all. I think I can safely say that we all can learn so much from Jesus's silence while He was suffering - I am sure we would all admit to talking when we should be listening and at other times talking when we should be silent. Yet Jesus not once complained on that cross for he knew He was carrying out the will of His Father in Heaven and that His suffering would bring us all nearer to a relationship to God. In actual fact Jesus is likened more to a servant than of a ruler and this role is also confirmed in John 13 when Jesus washes the disciples feet. This in turn shows that we too should not rise above others but that we should serve each other and support each other within the body of Christ. I will finish with some verses from 1 Peter 2 where Peter is detailing examples of Christ's suffering:- "18. You servants must submit to your masters and show them complete respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19. God will bless you for this, if you endure the pain of underserved suffering because you are conscious of his will. 20. For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it. 21. It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example so that you would follow in his steps. 22. He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips. 23. When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge. 24. Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his wounds that you have been healed. 25. You were like sheep that had lost their way,but now you have been brought back to follow the Shepherd and Keeper of your souls." Through this passage we are not only taken back to how Jesus suffered but also back to how he suffered in silence and refused to retaliate to those who treated him badly. Although Jesus's crucifixion occurred over seven centuries ago we hear today of many who are willing to lay down their life (not necessarily through crucifixion) for their belief in Him. The question I leave here is "Would we as Christians be prepared, if circumstances prevailed, to give up our life for the sake of Jesus or would we turn our back on Him as so many still do? Well it is certainly something to ponder on and to ensure that we search deep within our hearts for the answer to that question. My next devotional will be at the end of April so until then God's blessings be with you over the coming month. Chris |
| The music playing is "Servant King" |