We had all gone astray like sheep, all following our own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NABRE
This verse is part of several sections of Isaiah referred to as the Suffering Servant Song. In the day of its prophesy those hearing it might have referred to Israel as the Suffering Servant, after Jesus death, resurrection and ascension many would see Jesus as the Suffering Servant, though Jesus is looked more as Anointed, than Servant. We see in the quoted verse the essence of a message where one suffers for the sake of the wicked. In Israel’s rituals they have an atonement ritual where a goat would be used to carry the sins of the people out into the wilderness, it became known as the scapegoat (see Leviticus 16:20-22). But this Suffering Servant does not substitute for a scapegoat but rather through a profound union between faith and charity the innocent one suffers in and because of the wicked, while the wicked are healed by recognizing through faith the just deserts of their own sins in what the Servant undergoes. There is redemptive power in suffering, as one suffers the focus can be on how to live differently to avoid suffering. But here we see not only the redemptive power of suffering but a new revelation of innocent suffering for the sake of the wicked, referred to as those who have gone astray. This role is laid upon the Servant by the Lord, all guilt was laid upon the innocent for the sake of the wicked. It is the message of Jesus incarnation and life; God handed over his Son to death, for us who had gone astray.
Jesus takes on sin and brings it to the cross, so we may know God loves us and will do anything to indicate His love, even suffering and dying so we are free to meet God face to face.
Have you ever taken on someone else’s guilt? Do you see the Servant in Jesus Christ?
Jesus takes on sin and brings it to the cross, so we may know God loves us and will do anything to indicate His love, even suffering and dying so we are free to meet God face to face. Share on X#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #death #servant #Isaiah #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways