December 17 | Isaiah 53: 1-12

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DAILY READING

Isaiah 53:1-12

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REFLECTION

Glory Ever After

 By Jen Raber

Every time I read Isaiah 53, I sit in stillness and let it all soak in. The significance of this prophetic chapter is not lost on me. I’m flooded with humility, awe, and gratitude, mixed with sadness for the suffering endured and for my own going astray. But the Word of God spoken in Isaiah, prophesying our coming Messiah, brings me directly back into the fold and toward the only One who is worthy enough to pull back the curtain and guide us into God’s loving presence—Jesus Christ, our Lord.

I struggled with what to write for this devotional, feeling under qualified to discuss its importance. And I am under qualified; how can I even begin to comprehend, let alone put into words, the immense love that God demonstrates through the suffering of Jesus for us? And yet, it is with that weakness, that I turned to find comfort in the promise of Isaiah 53.

God planned a Messiah for us knowing that we alone do not have the strength to bear all of our weaknesses, sins, and circumstances. Jesus, “a man of suffering and familiar with pain,” (v. 3) modeled with humility and willingness, confidence and faithfulness, how to serve God, our Father, so we too can experience fully the love of our Father.

The unjust suffering of Jesus breaks my heart. He silently endured rejection, loneliness, affliction, piercing, crushing, punishment, oppression, and judgment—all for us, because of us.  As Peter beautifully explains:

'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.' For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.’ (1 Peter 2:22-25)

We all will suffer—you may be suffering greatly right now; but we take comfort knowing that whatever it is we suffer—grief, sickness, discouragement, fear, worry—Jesus experienced it first and fully. We never suffer alone. Humbly and obediently, Jesus entrusted himself to God, our unshakable and steadfast Father. And Peter instructs us to do the same: “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude…” and live “for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4: 1, 2)

When we entrust our suffering to Jesus, we find this hope: after suffering, there is glory!

“After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.” (v. 11)

When I let the truth of Isaiah 53 soak into my heart, sopping up every single word, I am filled with joy and gratitude. Jesus, our Shepherd and Overseer, is the promise fulfilled. We have been given a beautiful gift: God has called us “…to his eternal glory in Christ” and we will be made “strong, firm, and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5: 10).  Jesus suffered, was crucified, died, resurrected and ascended. He is the flawless sin offering that heals us, brings us salvation and guides us into God’s loving arms. We will see the light of life and be satisfied!

PRAYER

Holy Heavenly Father, thank you for your perfect plan, your perfect gift, for us through your beautiful suffering servant, Jesus Christ! As we move through the Advent season and prepare to celebrate His Holy birth, soak into our hearts and allow us to entrust our own personal suffering to you. We praise you for your unending love, for your steadfastness, and for your intercession in order to save us and keep us in the fold. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord: "To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5: 11)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JEN RABER

I am so grateful for the loving and welcoming community at UALC. My husband and I, along with our three (now adult) children began attending Lytham Road services around 2009. And before that, well, I’ve just loved the Bible for about as long as I can remember. I am so thrilled to be a part of the Daily Devotional Writing Team.