History of Redemption: Blog Post 27

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.  By oppression and judgement he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?  And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. - Isaiah 53:7-9 ESV

Jesus Christ was the suffering servant, who came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).  Who else have you ever known that has poured His life out for you?  In an age when we worship movie stars and musicians and political figures, consider this, who among them was ever led to the slaughter and stricken for your transgression?  In a time when we fear the judgement of men, and seek their praise, consider this, who among them was oppressed and afflicted, yet opened not his mouth?  In a culture where pride is touted as a virtue, consider this, that they made His grave with the wicked, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.  At this moment, as I let these words marinate in my soul, I am brought down to my knees, by the picture of the Son of God, pouring out His life as a ransom for me.

If you want to know who my hero is, His name is Jesus, and Isaiah 53 is what He looks like.  He was holy without blemish, pure and innocent, and He gave Himself over to death as the sacrificial Lamb of God so that the punishment for my sin (which He did not  deserve) may be imputed to Him, and that His righteousness (which I did not deserve) may be imputed to me.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Jesus Christ, I am at a loss for words, as I look upon the sacrificial atonement that You made for Your people, who have time and again forsaken You.  And yet You became the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world, out of Your infinite goodness and Your infinite grace.  May all glory be to You, my King and my Savior.

“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering” (Hebrews 2:10).