We live in a world that just loves a superhero, don’t we? I mean look at the movies and comics that have made a ton of money from inventing these superheroes. You have Superman, Batman, Flash, Captain America, etc… Even women got into the act with Wonder Woman and Daisy Duke. Well, OK, maybe Daisy wasn’t a super hero, but she sure did help start the whole women in tight clothes deal! Consider how the people of Israel were looking for a hero to save them after being held in captivity for such a long time. Today’s text deals with that very thing, the hero that God was sending to His people ? It would be nothing like Jesus, would it? That is exactly what happened to the people of Israel. They were promised a savior, or a hero, but the one they got was not what they were looking for.
V1- Who has believed our message? This shouts loudly as to the Jews unbelief. They had the opportunity to physically walk with the savoir and rejected him. We know from the New Testament this was fulfilled. Jn 12:38; Rom 10:16 That sheds a little light on the verse of Romans doesn’t it? Mere, disbelief is enough to receive full punishment for your sins. Mk 16:16
Arm of the Lord revealed- This is a reference to the Lord’s power, might, and strength and the Jews unbelief. They got to see the power of the Lord 1st hand. Look at The Gospel according to Jn.
If these aren’t displays of power, what in the world is? Should a display of this kind of power cause someone to believe and become obedient? Yes. Why don’t they?
V2- We see some humble characteristics this savior will posses. This probably has something to do with his rejection. Who wants a simple and humble hero? Everyone wants a loud, strong man that demands respect!
tender shoot- “to suck” like a suckling child. It means a fallen tree that sprouted! This is a very humble example of a leader.
root out of parched ground- In a barren waste land, or where there is no moisture. Such a sprout or shrub is small, puny, and withered up. Such shrubs spring up in deserts, where they are stinted for want of moisture, and they are most striking objects to represent that which is humble and unattractive in its personal appearance
He has no form- Properly means no beauty in figure or appearance.
Or Majesty- The root word of comeliness to be honored or esteemed.
No appearance- The source of this word is to look at or inspect. It actually can mean anything with the outward appearance. Between no beauty and no form does not mean Jesus was an ugly man. ***It is saying that the savior will have nothing extraordinary, which one might have thought to meet considering He was an incarnate deity. Those who saw him could not see that there was any beauty in him that they should desire him, nothing in him more than in any another!! Does appearance have anything to do with how we treat people? YES! If TV and media of today was in the 40’s does FDR get voted in? NO
V3- “Carnal hearts see no excellency in the Lord Jesus, nothing that should induce them to desire an acquaintance with him or interest in him.”~~Matthew Henry
Jesus is not only not desired, but he is despised and rejected, abandoned and abhorred, a reproach of men, one that men were shy of keeping company with and had not any esteem for, a worm and no man. How do people not esteem and reject Jesus today? We do not accept his authority. Mt 28:18
V4-They turned away from him in horror and contempt. They supposed that he was suffering on account of some great sin of his own. It was not for his sins but for ours. It was not that he was smitten of God for his own sins—as if he had been among the worst of mortals—but it was because he had taken our sins, and was suffering for them. The very thing that gave offence to man, and which made man turn away from him, constituted the most important part of His work, and was really the occasion of highest gratitude
stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted- We need to understand that Jesus was not stricken, smitten, and afflictied by God but we esteemed him to be as much. Meaning, these things are why he came! He came to be stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. It was His purpose, not His punishment!!
V5 Pierced- Literally means pierced or bored Ps 22:16
Crushed- be cast down, break, crush, broken in pieces. Unique in that this verb is only used in Hebrew poetry, and can only apply to people. (A goat cannot be crushed) God is often the agent of the crushinging!!
Chastisement- correction that results in education A parent punishes a child that has been disobedient. Focus on correction and not punishment because there can be no punishment where there is no guilt and Jesus was sinless! Adam Clarke says 21 manuscripts have a word that is defined as “our pacification.”
Well being- Shalom a satisfied condition, unconcerned state of peace, absence of strife, completeness, harmony, and fulfillment that can only be received through God!
Jn 14:27 Jesus clearly defines 2 radically different concepts of peace
V6- This verse is a penitent confession. Similar to Zec 12:10
In ourselves we were scattered; in Christ we are collected together. By nature we wander, in Christ we find the way to the gate of life!
Each of us has turned to his own way- Like sheep without a shepherd. We choose our individual paths, unprotected, and wander into even more danger. One goes this way & another goes that way! This is the same today!!
laid on Him the iniquity of us all- he suffered in our stead; and whatever he was called to endure was in consequence of the fact that he had taken the place of sinners;
What can we do to have the mind of Christ toward the scattered sheep?
· Christ’s view Mt 9:36
· Our obligation Jn 21:17
DO WE HAVE A ZEAL FOR CHRIST'S LOST SHEEP?????
God has never forgotten his people no matter how far they have chosen to wander away from him. If that doesn’t comfort you I don’t know what will. After all the Israelites did God still sent his Son, our Savior, do gather the lost sheep. It must be noted that only the sheep who want to be gathered will be!
Forget super heroes, I want my savior and that the Lord Jesus Christ!!
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
Hear The Word- Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4
We Must Believe or Have Faith- Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31
We Must Repent- Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30
We Must Confess Christ Before Others- Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37
We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)- 1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
We Must Remain Faithful- Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22
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