Isaiah 53: Prophecy of Calvary

In my study of Isaiah 53, C. J. Mahaney, author and pastor for almost thirty years, stimulated my investigation through one of his books, The Cross Centered Life. His fascination and passion for Isaiah's fifty third chapter peaked my interest, and I truly was blown away by the results of exactly what I discovered. I pray you enjoy the beauty of what Spirit has reveal to me through the Word of God and multiple resources . . . It will blow your mind if you let it :) Open your bibles to Isaiah 53 to follow along.


Surprisingly, one of the finest places in Scripture to profoundly reflect upon Calvary is not the New Testament but the Old. . . Isaiah 53. Isaiah is the most quoted book in the New Testament, signifying the influence of his prophecies about Christ and the church. Charles Spurgeon describes this chapter as "the Bible in miniature and the gospel in essence." This quote suggests that Isaiah composed the beauty of the gospel in a mere twelve verses . . . and I believe through his inspiration from the Lord and working of the Spirit to prophesy the Christ, it is [in essence] the divine gospel of Jesus! We must not forget that Isaiah was blessed with the Spirit and prophesied through the work within Him . . . "And the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me" (Isaiah 61:1). Let's take a deeper look.

Isaiah was a prominent prophet in Israel, appointed by God during his youth around the 8th century B.C. The name Isaiah in Hebrew is Yeshaʿyahu, which means "The Lord has saved!"

How suitable considering the message he brings to his people in this book--specifically in the 53rd chapter. 

This is Isaiah's Great announcement--one to change the course of history forever . . . "The Messiah is coming!"

All scripture is "blood-stained", as Mahaney wrote, yet this chapter (written 700 years before Christ's death) seems as though Isaiah was kneeling at the foot of the cross! From Isaiah's inspired perspective, the prophet brings us right beside the cross so we may behold the marred, scorned Savior hanging there.

This chapter begins by the Lord speaking to His people about someone He simply calls "my servant". In the first few verses, Isaiah describes the servant as nothing extraordinary. 

"For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out on dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (53:2-3)

This practically screams New Testament logic. The people of Israel expected a conqueror--a "savior" from the Roman Empire. They anxiously waited for the Messiah--what they believed to be a man of power and authority, beauty and benefit by worldly standards. But, Isaiah says we esteemed him not. 
"In fact, if somehow a group photograph could have been taken of Jesus and the twelve disciples, and we looked at that picture today, we most likely would be unable to distinguish which of those thirteen men was actually Jesus." (Mahaney)
This Servant at first seems quite unimpressive; the son of a carpenter from the small city of Nazareth. 


Now, I want to stop. 
For a moment, place yourself in the sandals of the earliest readers of Isaiah's prophecy. . . 
The previous twelve chapters (starting in Isaiah 40) were written about a 'glorious deliverance' for the nation of Israel! For twelve chapters, God brings hope and comfort to His people--that there is a light, a peace, that is coming! Unsurprisingly, these people believe this 'Deliverer' to be a mighty warrior, a king, an influential man, someone like David! In fact, this man is to be from the line of David! But in chapter 53, Isaiah's triumphant entry comes to a halt. Isaiah describes in these first few verses someone unattractive, average, and a servant. . .  not a great conqueror, but one who will be 'crushed'.


Now, any reader would wonder after this massive build up if this is indeed the One the Lord is promising. . . how can this man be 'high and lifted up, and he shall be exhalted'(Isaiah 52:13b)?
Expectedly, this is why Isaiah begins this chapter with "Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" (53:1-2) As Mahaney writes, 'apart from divine revelation and the Spirit's awakening, none of us would ever know genuine faith.'


Human expectations of a Savior do not match up with God's intentions for His Son--the chosen One. 
"By divine design the gospel is foolishness to all who through pride are governed by the wisdom of the world, restricted to human observation and impressed only by outward appearance." 
Therefore, Isaiah's prophetic word of this Servant stands true. Christ came humbly into the world, not to impress by worldly regard, but to carry out the will of His Father. 


Isaiah shifts from human observation to the crucifixion (through divine revelation) in verses 4-6. 
Throughout this passage there is a consistent parallel--what HE does for us. These verses disclose our condition--at least ten times Isaiah uses pronouns like our, we, and us. But isn't it a beautiful picture? The entire excerpt conveys 'our griefs', 'our sorrows', 'our transgressions', 'our iniquities'; its about how 'we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way.' (53:6) 
"That's our part in the divine drama unfolding here. We're mentioned only as contributing to the sin that makes the suffering necessary--and unimaginably excruciating."-Mahaney


Also in verses 4-6, we discover that this unimpressive, suffering Servant is actually suffering for us--as our substitute! He "bears our griefs . . . carries our sorrows . . . is wounded for our transgressions . . . crushed for our iniquities." C.J. writes, 'He does it [substitutes] not at our request, and not with our encouragement and support, but while being despised and rejected.'
Woah . . . Has that ever truly sunk into our hearts? Struck us in a painfully humble way . . . that we, filthy sinners, did not beg or plead of Christ to save us on the cross, but actually rejected him in the process? As he hung there, taking on our sins, all sins of the world forever, we mocked Him? Christ perfectly obeyed the Father's will in the midst of an arrogant, unworthy, ungrateful crowd . . .  I have to say, I'm not sure any of us would've behaved any different. If even his most faithful disciples--those who intimately knew Jesus--scattered, I must believe I, too, would be just another face in the savage crowd.


"His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance." (Isaiah 52:14) Jesus' body became disfigured and deformed. His death on the cross caused him to be beyond recognizable. How often do we forget the excruciatingly violent slaughter of our Savior . . . His bleeding, open-wounded, raw body was broken so that sinners would be reconciled to God.
"When we behold the disfigurement of the Son of God, when we find ourselves appalled by his marred appearance, we need to reckon afresh that is upon ourselves that we gaze, for he stood in our place." -John Calvin


Before we take a deeper look, watch the humble actions of our Servant . . . "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 . . . he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth." (53:7,9) 
Oh chosen Servant, we do not deserve you! How precious is your love.


You and I deserve death. What we face is the righteous, raging wrath of a holy God. Because sin exists in the world, we are indeed guilt and cannot be in the midst of a perfect God without atonement. With the slightest glance upon His face, we would surely die--for our evil souls cannot be with One who is all good. We need a mediator. 
So the innocent One, the Son of God, carried the fury of the Father on his shoulders--bearing a cross--to die for the rest of us as our replacement. 
'Jesus Christ was indeed "smitten by God and afflicted" (53:4)--not for his sin, but for ours.'


The motivation of the Father in sacrificing His Son as our substitute is shockingly revealed in verse 10. "Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief." 
Mahaney writes, 'The death of the Servant was not the fruit of human initiative and design; it was God's plan, God's purpose, God's will.
Who killed Jesus Christ? God did. The Father was ultimately responsible for the death of His Son.' God is screaming to us, His children, "I intended to crush my Son with my just wrath for your sins, as your substitute!"
Why? 
"Because I love you . . ."


Whenever we are low, or tempted to doubt [for some absurd reason] that God doesn't love us, we must stand before the cross and look to our dying, wounded, disfigured Savior and realize why He is there. 
Love. 
Only an incomprehensible love could begin to explain why we are still here . . . why God's fury has not already stricken down such an unfaithful people. He doesn't need us. But as sure as the sun rises, His Great love whispers to us, "Isn't that sufficient? I haven't spared my own Son all for you--my people, the church." 


Mahaney wrote, 'We never move on from the cross, only into a more profound understanding of the cross.' My prayer today for myself and all who read this blog is to be reminded of the enduring, constant, undying love of the one true God. He is the Great 'I Am', and over 2000 years ago He sent His own to be our sacrifice. Through his Son's perfect obedience, He redeemed an unworthy people, so we may give Him glory forever! May we always be humbled in Your presence, O God, giving all praise to his name . . . Jesus Christ, Lord of All!

He calls me Friend.

How do you picture Jesus?

Most of the illustrations of our Savior on earth are those of him surrounded by crowds-hugging children, enlightening swarms of people in truth, feeding and healing thousands. . .

And while these are actual occasions in which God himself touched His people, this did not mark Jesus' connection to the world.

Picture this.

The full entity of holiness-the only perfect man to walk the earth. . . Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Yet, not a soul understood his thoughts-his heart. Oswald Chambers stated, " [Jesus] did not physically cut Himself off from society, but He was inwardly disconnected all the time. He was not aloof, but He lived in another world."

Isolated. Alone. Jesus lived thirty-three years detached. . . physically absent from his Father, from perfection. He never once sensed genuine identity with the people in this world because he is altogether holy.

Everyone experiences loneliness at some point or another in life. I felt my fair share just this first semester of college, lacking anything familiar or comfortable. People all around reject you, ignore you, because of the individuals they have already established as their companions. But imagine laying down your life-facing death-for those who drove you to loneliness. . . who pass by and don't show a hint of love, maybe even hatred! Jesus, God's incarnate, came to the world as a stranger. Gentiles and Jews already served their "God(s)"-some looking for a Messiah, and missed it! They expected a conqueror, and instead recieved a perfect, humble man. So, His children made a mockery of his Name. He was beaten and killed for those he felt so distant from. Jesus Christ went to the hideous cross for a people unworthy to even understand him.

He died.

Let that sink in for a moment. . .

Jesus was made a mockery of. . . he was ridiculed for things he had not done. Yet, he endured. He endured the cross, one of the most painful deaths a human can encounter, with absolute power in his grip. His name, as he walked to road to Calvary, was scorned. People laughed, spit, and even gambled for His clothes!

He bore the entire weight of the world-every sin committed, or to be committed-as he hung to the point of demise. As if the cross was not brutal enough, he suffered the pressure of each sin.

When I struggle with a single sin, it consumes me and convict me. Yet, he took on ALL transgressions! Separated from the Father, the only one who led him and truly understood him, Christ sustained a sinful world.

Alone, with every disgrace laid on his bleeding, broken body, he finished the task set before him. Jesus died.

However, fulfilling all prophecies, on the third day, he breathed life . . .

Jesus Christ rose from the grave to proclaim ALL GLORY to God! He died to save an unworthy people-His Father's unfaithful people-as the perfect sacrifice. Through the resurrection of Christ, we may be with the Father once again!

This is love.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends." John 15:13-15a

We should never feel alone again. For the one and only Lord carried out the will of his Father so we may have a relationship with him. We are no longer blind servants to the Lord. We may call him, Friend. . .  and to be a true Friend of God completely sustains us! We are created for intimacy with our Father. Therefore, when we are mocked, tempted, or alone we may find hope in our new name-the name we now bare. . . Christians. For we are free!

When the Hebrew writers says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” He means in one sense. . . Because of the tragedy of the cross-that the Father had to send his Son to save an undeserving people- we receive power. We receive strength. 

This is His good and perfect gift from above-the Holy Spirit! And when those who bear Christ's name stop to ponder the cross and it's glory, our remembrance fortifies our confidence in Christ alone. Simple remembrance-meditating on the cross-vulnerably places our security in the pierced hands of Jesus.

Seek His face daily! Live harmony under this gift of grace. 

"Oh precious is the flow 
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

The Encounter.

Encounter.
"An unexpected experience to be faced with; an unexpected meeting."


This encounter would change my life forever.


But first I must preface. . . this story may be indirect due to the fact that my heart or intent is not to offend anyone who may have crossed paths with me in my times of distress. I simply desire to proclaim the Almighty power of Jesus Christ!


My life began beautifully. I was raised in a wonderful family. Blessings flow into our lives that we do not deserve. We go to church every Sunday and pray before meals. As a child, this was the life.
What more could I want? A family to love and provide for me, a church to visit on Sundays, a private Christian school, enough to sustain me for the rest of my life. . . so why did I need anything more? I lived my life this way for quite some time. I was comfortable.


My eighth grade year, my world turned upside down. Fighting with my parents seemed to be the least of my worries, and counseling ensured my family that I wasn't losing my mind. Little did they know. . .
At thirteen years old, I became a statistic.
Fighting depression, my innocence was savagely taken from me. Call it what you'd like. At thirteen, my pure heart was stolen. Stolen by a man, yet I know his real name-his name was Satan. Through the lies and the pain, my heart was deceived. I entered in one of the darkest places of my life, a place many people don't know I experienced. This was my encounter of death. 
Sin entered the world centuries ago, and I became a victim of the evilness. Like a thief, purity was snatched from my heart. This moment of helplessness marked my life for the next three and a half years.


In the madness of high school, I placed my hope in many things of this world. Satan would often feed me the lies, "You "let" him take from you once, why not again? You've tried this before. . . why does it matter? You are worthless to anything holy." My life became a train wreck of spiritual warfare.


However, God is the Great Pursuer! Even in deliberate disobedience to His word, the Lord sent the beauty of Him to me in moments. I encountered things of God multiple times. Some call this a "spiritual high". . . nothing more than mere emotion towards the Lord. 
One moment I will never forget was in my sophomore year in Jamaica-my first mission trip. My youth minister, Matt, the first true Follower of Jesus I had ever encountered, once told me, "God is going to do something BIG with your life, Maddie. I just know it."
I thought, "Hold on. . . What?! Me? I don't follow the Lord! Not fully. Does he understand the life of sin I lead?" But when I looked into Matt's eyes, I knew. Certainty swept across my soul, and I wanted it. I desired the beauty I saw in His face-an unquestionable radience-Our Lord Jesus Christ! 
I clung to this hopeful revelation, never to forget it. However, this emotion would not satisfy because it was not near the extent of God's plan for His sons (and daughters)-to know Him deeply.

Almost two years passed by, living a life of disobedience and faithlessness. But something was stirring. . . 
Nevertheless, disobedience continued to reigned supreme. 


"God will never reveal more truth about Himself until you have obeyed what you know already." -Oswald Chambers


Just as circumstances began turning around-faint hope in the distance, life came crashing down as I knew it. 


December 15th, 2009. 
Until this day, my closest friends and family knew nothing of me but what the surface would share. My heart, I kept tucked away from anything familiar-fearing my depraved soul would be revealed.
This day, two faithful friends sat me down at Starbucks, and simply asked me about my past. They approached me, in love and concern, with "rumors" they heard. The truth. . . they were right. Sin controlled me.
Lies spilled from my mouth. . . until I could not lie anymore. This was breaking point. 
With tears and sorrow, truth overflowed from my lips. This was the first true, profound, authentic moment of my life. And then. . . they left.
I departed that coffee shop lower then I had ever been. The people who loved me most, knew. The secrets of my heart were unveiled. This was my encounter of honesty. 
As I laid in my bed, screaming out to God, I felt nothing. Only Satan himself encountered me, once again. Alone, the darkness surrounded me as I cried myself to sleep.


December 16th, 2009
English final right before Christmas break. How I dreaded the thought of facing my friends-the truth. I trudged into school, merely for the fact that I could not skip. I had given no thought to this final, or what I would write. But at this point, an english test was the last thing on my mind. 
If I could only fathom this next encounter. . .


The bell rings. Tests are distributed. Essay style.
The prompt reads, "Who has influenced your life?"
Just before I roll my eyes in aggravation, it hits me-like a brick wall. . . Satan.


This was my creative essay. . . God's final pursuit of my heart. The moment my life changed forever.

[[The narrow path winds between the massive woods. A gravel road separates the thick forest from swallowing an exhausted traveler, attempting to arrive at his location. Tonight, the path is empty. The black sky consumes every glimpse of light-of hope. Tonight, I walk alone.


I aggressively kick the gravel rocks below my feet in aggravation. I stare down at the path refusing to glance up in shame. Although no one is near me as I stride up the forest path, the darkness screams to me, "Why did you? Did you not know my sinful trap? One sip. . . you are pathetic." My shameful blue eyes water, but I resist the breakdown.


The shadows haunt me as the trees sway above me-looking down on me. My chin fights to look forward into the dark woods. . . still alone. I hear his horrifying voice again, "Darling, you know you may never take it back. A spot of black I now instill in your heart forever-you can't escape. Are you not strong enough to resist," he spits towards me. "He does not love you-he lied to you my dear! He never loved you. . ." The taunting truth shatters my soul. . . he is right.


The darkness no longer only surrounds me because it is well past midnight on the cool path, but I allow the black to consume my every thought-every feeling. Sin chokes me. Sin consumes me. I attempt to scream in pain-pain of my shattered soul- but not a sound will arise from my decrepit body. I collapse into the ridges of the gravel, tearing through my weak skin as tears stream down my flushed cheeks. The whispers from the Evil One continue. . . and I listen. I soak in every remark, comment, truth. What am I worth? Nothing. 


My mistakes overtake my shredded heart. The forest seems to close in on me as I lie on the moist ground. "You are a failure. You are stupid. You are weak. You are alone. . ." the voice continues, and the silence assures his honesty.


Hands over my flooded face while I sprawl out on the gravel path, I glimpse a light in front of my faded vision from beneath the crevices of my shaking fingers. Still in denial, I refuse to lift my heavy head-the burden too strong. I hear a voice, a new voice-full of power and hope. "My dear, you are beautiful and in Me alone you may know truth. I am yours, and with Me you shall have peace. Now, look up to Me." I stall for a moment-confused and frightened. Slowly, I glance upward.
The light vanishes. Nothing but a small book lies beside my curled knees-a familiar book. I open the cover. Engraved in gold I read, "My beautiful creation, cherish Me this time. Let go of the lies, because you are Mine and I love you. Hold to My Truth, and the Truth shall set you free."


A new stream of tears-full of joy and absolute truth-flow from the corners of my pure blue eyes. . . grace. An overwhelming amount of grace-a grace I do not deserve-yet I obtain it. I rise easily-the burden vanished. I breathe confidently as I take my first new step of purpose. Finally, in strength, I raise my chin and gaze upward. . . now free from the dark clouds, the magnificent sky paints an infinite amount of stars to guide my way home.]]



My life was never the same. God used an English final to bring about genuine repentance and joy! I did not have any direction as I scribbled words on a torn piece of wide-ruled paper. This was completely inspired by the Holy Spirit in me! This was my freedom. This was my encounter with the Living God. 


It's been one year, and what a year its been. Full of joy, pain, trials, lessons learned, knowledge, truth, and love-more love than I ever imagined possible. God is love. He is the Pursuer. He will fight for us, you and I alike, and build circumstance around our hearts until we cannot reject Him any longer. He doesn't want us to be comfortable. . . His will is that we live a radical life of love for Him! We are part of a Kingdom-the captivating Kingdom of God! So, I will praise the Lord forever because He redeemed my soul. His radiant light pierced my spirit and filled me with Himself. And I am just one minuscule part of the beautiful body of Christ!
Daily, I carry my cross. It is a fight. . . but its worth the blood we must shed for His name. He is the reason I live. 
And the beauty, it is only the beginning. . . 
There will come a day I have my final encounter. I will see my glorious Maker, face to face, as fall on my knees in awe of His power that I have only tasted.
Praise be to God in heaven, forever and ever. Amen!


Ephesians 2:1-6
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."


Grace and Peace be with you. 
Our God reigns.

I Write. . .

Flawed.
My thoughts, my actions, my heart-all equally imperfect. There is nothing good in me. Not a day goes by that I do not struggle or fall into the rotting depths of sin. I tend to sink deeper by allowing ones I love to be exposed to my corrupt soul. . .  shame, dishonor, and guilt haunt the shadows of my mind.
I make plenty of mistakes-a hand full of them break my heart-and I, once again, fall into the Evil One's trap.
This truth is undeniable. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

The good news. . . the power of the Lord redeems my heart! Whether it be His manifested beauty in creation, calling me back into a sweet romance with my Lover. . . or His steadfast righteousness, leading me to a holy life He calls me to live, I am His-we are His people! Our God offers grace to each of us through His Son's brutal, perfect sacrifice-the cross! O, the wonderful cross. . .be our focus! Jesus' life was bought with a price-our souls. So when he rose again on the third day, we would be pure and blameless in his sight. Because he lives, we live freely. The bondage of sin is broken! The truth of grace redeems. . . I am redeemed by the blood of Christ On High!

How to respond to this grace? Worship.
Sing praises to the Father. Thank Him for His everlasting love. Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him for freedom from death! Simply, Thank Him. . . He deserves all glory.
That is my hope for this blog. I pray God speaks to me through the Holy Spirit dwelling in my heart. . . that He may be glorified in every thought (blog post). I desire that not one reader would think, "how great is her devotion" or "what a woman of God. . ."
No. My prayer is that absolutely no one would take notice to this author. . . for I am no wise woman.
Instead, the radiance of the Lord would shine so brightly that only the awareness of His power stands.
"That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30

God's given me a gift-the ability to write. Through writing, I connect with God personally. This is my outlet-the route to oneness with my Savior. I desire not to teach or instruct, for I have no right, but simply to journal-explaining what I'm learning and how our God is always speaking!  For if I did not share in the weight of His gospel, what would my life be worth?

This is my journey home. With awareness, I write. . .