Isaiah 53:2, 4-5 – “He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of dry ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we would look at Him, Nor an appearance that we would take pleasure in Him…4 However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore, And our pains that He carried; 5 He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed.”
Have you ever heard a non-Christian say they were scared that lightning would strike them if they entered the church doors? Many people have the same perception of God as they do of Zeus – a lightning bolt in his fist, ready to strike them down. What a shock for anyone with that perception to consider God incarnate in Jesus Christ as prophesied in Isaiah 53. Isaiah goes on to describe this Savior, given to the world, as a lamb led to the slaughter. Rather than a God ready to strike down sinners, Christ reveals a God willing to be struck down for sinners’ sake.
This passage needs to change all Christians’ perception of the power of God. The power of God is revealed in unfathomable self-sacrificial love that would humble oneself and remain under control to serve those who are in rebellion. This Christmas, let us consider our own humility in light of the one who stepped out of Heaven’s glory to be conceived in a virgin’s womb to come forth to die for us while we were yet sinners. May the power of God shine forth in our own willingness to stay under Christ’s rule, humbly serving sinners, rather than striking them down.
Jesus, thank you for coming to serve and intercede for me while I was in rebellion to you. Thank you for staying under the cross to give me a way to be reconciled to you and have daily fellowship within the triune God. Help me to stay under your call today to love even my enemies, blessing them and praying for them, in Jesus’ name, Amen.