July 25 - Isaiah 48:12-52:12

Good morning everyone,

Today our reading brings us to the end of the first part of the second half of the book of Isaiah. This is kind of like going to a play, right? Second half, act one or more commonly referred to as chapters 40 through 48, focused on the promise of the Jews being delivered out of bondage from Babylon. God not only showed His love for His people and His ability to deliver from a seemingly hopeless situation but He made it perfectly clear that, indeed,  it was by His power, not some whittled piece of wood, as He announced his specific intentions more than a century in advance. In 48:22 we read, “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” Thais actually marks the end of the first part. It is repeated again in Isaiah 57:21, and both times it comes at the end of a nine-chapter section.” 

Now starting in chapter 49, though there is still reference to the deliverance from Babylon’s captivity, the real focus is on the ultimate deliverance the Messiah will bring. Jesus knew, way before he was ever born, what was in store for Him, the course His life would take. Psalm 22, another prophecy of the Messiah, in verse 9 says, “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.” Carrying that knowledge up through His youth, at the age of twelve Jesus stayed behind to teach in his “Father’s house” while Mary and Joseph had already left to go home. 

With every breath that Jesus took, while his feet were walking the surface of this flick of dust planet called earth, He knew why He was here, He absolutely knew the shame He would have to endure, the vicious torture He would be subject to. Scripture tells us when they were done scourging Him, He was not able to be recognized as a man. He understood how He would suffer miserably before He would be nailed to a cross and in time, mercifully die. As wicked and corrupt and as wrong, on so many levels, as the treatment Jesus received was, He did not once complain or cry out, not once, that is, not until God had to turn His back on Jesus, for all the sin that was placed on Him. Our sin! For that space in time Jesus, God’s dear, obedient, one and only Son, was out of God’s grace and it was the only torture to make Him cry out. Yet knowing all of this would take place, He willingly came to pay the price for your sins, for my sins for all the sins of all mankind for all of time. He loves us that much, though there is absolutely no way for us to ever be able to adequately appreciate how big “that much” is. The crazy part is, He didn’t stop there, His love just keeps pouring out on us all, of the time, for those who will let Him.

In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “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 that person, and they with me.” In biblical days meals were a powerful of expression of welcome and friendship as I expect they are today too, but here’s a personal invitation to sit at the table with Jesus. I am so, for sure, there! You? His arms are are wide open, waiting for you, waiting for all, to give fully to Him. We use to say when someone wanted to give you a “high five” and you missed it, “Hey, don’t leave me hangin’.’” Time is running short, my friends, there will come a time when the invitation will expire so I would encourage you to not miss your chance. Choose Christ so you can live, don’t leave Jesus hangin’ ….. Amen?

Have a wonderful day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..