Jesus Did Not Just Die, He was Crushed

This morning I was reminded through God’s Word that Jesus did not just die for my sins and for the sins of the world. HE WAS CRUSHED.

“¹⁰Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”

— Isaiah 53:10 (ESV)

I often think that the weight of the death of Jesus is minimized. I am not sure that we carry the with us the shear brutality that was His death. I think that there may be a sensationalism and “martyrdom” that is brought out.

You see, Jesus did not just die, He was completely destroyed. Take His crucifying. Jesus was not just killed, He was not just put to death, He was nailed to a cross. He endured all the flogging, the carrying of the cross to the crucifixion site. He was crowned with a crown of thorns. He was stabbed with a spear.

Jesus could have been killed any number of ways. Yet, He was allowed by God the Father to die is such a gruesome manner. He was “crushed”. And for what? So that you and I did not have to die the same way.

Remember, the penalty of sin is the wrath of God. And think of that word, “wrath”. According to Merriam-Webster Online, wrath is “1 : strong vengeful anger or indignation 2 : retributory punishment for an offense or a crime : divine chastisement”. Wrath is not just simple payback in kind. It is carrying out with anger and vengeance. It is gruesome and messy. It is awful. It is the worst of the worst.

The LORD allowed for Jesus’ death to be messy and gruesome and awful. He died in the way that was meant for me. He was crushed so that I did not have to be. He was not a martyr and it was not sensational. He was crushed not as an example for me, but in my place.

What is your view of Jesus’ death? Do you see it as some sort of example or martyrdom? What if you saw it as it was, gruesome and messy, as substitution for the death that you deserve and should have received?

Our God is Alive, Idols are Not

I have written that there is none like God. This morning I was reminded of that once again and shone more about idols and how they are not alive and that God is.

“⁵To whom will you liken me and make me equal,

and compare me, that we may be alike?

⁶Those who lavish gold from the purse,

and weigh out silver in the scales,

hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;

then they fall down and worship!

⁷They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,

they set it in its place, and it stands there;

it cannot move from its place.

If one cries to it, it does not answer

or save him from his trouble.”

— Isaiah 46:5-7 (ESV)

I read the verses above and see that idols are just things. They have no life of their own. They are created by a man and then have to be cared for by man. They have to be carried and placed and then moved if the need arises, by man. There is no expectation that the idols are able to care for man, it is the other way around for sure.

“³Listen to me, O house of Jacob,

all the remnant of the house of Israel,

who have been borne by me from before your birth,

carried from the womb;

⁴even to your old age I am he,

and to gray hairs I will carry you.

I have made, and I will bear;

I will carry and will save.”

— Isaiah 46:3-4 (ESV)

And there we have it. God is alive and will be until my end. But even at my end, God remains alive until your end, and then end of the next generation, and so on. He “will carry you” and “save”. This is something that is not in the character of idols. They require man to carry them and save them from them. Idols are dependent on man whereas with God, man is dependent on Him.

I for one, and am joined by my brothers and sisters in Christ, am thankful to worship The God who is alive and will care for me, carry me, and has saved me. I need it all and cannot waste my time caring for idols that require I care for them as they cannot even do that for themselves.

Where are you worshiping? Are you pouring yourself into idols that you end up having to carry from place to place? What if you worshiped the living God, who carries you?

Be His Instrument

I am His workmanship, created in His image and the pinnacle of the creation of God. I am pleasing to His eye and am counted as precious and treasure to Him. Yet, I am also His instrument to get the work done.

“’¹³I have stirred him up in righteousness,

and I will make all his ways level;

he shall build my city

and set my exiles free,

not for price or reward,’”

says the Lord of hosts.”

— Isaiah 45:13 (ESV)

Still studying in Isaiah this morning and the passage is titled in my English Standard Version Bible, “Cyrus, God’s Instrument”. Even in the one verse above, I am reminded that I am cared for by God and lead to righteousness for His pleasure, and yet I am not just to sit and bask in the glory that is the LORD, I have work to do as His hands. I am the instrument doing the physical work. I am here demonstrating the glory of the LORD. I am here doing all that He has instructed me to ensure that His glory is shone around the world. And, it all started in the beginning.

“²⁶Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” and “¹⁵The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” – Genesis 1:26 & 2:15 (ESV)

You see, I am not alone in being created to do the work of God. We all were. We were made to manage the work in this world for our LORD. He created us to work and keep all else that He had created. We are not just His instrument, but were created to be such. And all not because we are paid or receive something in return (see end of Isaiah 45:13 above) but for His glory to be shone in this world that others might realize and experience His glory.

I am the instrument of God. I am doing His work in this world that I am assigned. It is not always glamorous nor will I see reward in it now. But, I am doing it for His glory and that others will get to realize and experience and come to His glory.

What are your thoughts as to being the instrument of God? Do you take on things to get something of value in return? What if you were to just be the instrument of God that you were created to be, knowing that your reward is in heaven?

God, There is None Like Him

There are a lot of gods out there in the world that the people worship. They take up all of our time and effort and to what end, what is gained from them? I am not here this morning to debate the different gods, I am here to show from one passage that there is none like my God.

“¹⁸To whom then will you liken God,

or what likeness compare with him?

¹⁹An idol! A craftsman casts it,

and a goldsmith overlays it with gold

and casts for it silver chains.

²⁰He who is too impoverished for an offering

chooses wood that will not rot;

he seeks out a skillful craftsman

to set up an idol that will not move.”

— Isaiah 40:18-20 (ESV)

We see here in the above verses the Isaiah begins by asking to whom is God likened. That question is asked to get the mind to begin thinking and then he begins to lay it out.

There is the idol that is worshiped. Beautiful as it may be, notice from Isaiah’s words that even so, it is still made by man. It is cast then covered and ornate additions are made. And, if such an ornate idol cannot be afforded, it can always be made of wood, but still a man makes the idol.

Think of the other gods in this world money or wealth for instance. Yes it can get you things, but they are just things and only solve the problems of this world (if that) and are still made or created by man. And what about power. It can again get you things, but it is lonely at the top as there is always a search for more of it, or at minimum, others to join you in or with that same position and that power is only good in this world and is granted and taken away by man.

No matter the god of this world, it is always created by and run by man. We are always seeking for that which is more sustainable. That which is bigger than the last and more than before. We are wanting of that which is forever and does not fade with time.

“²⁸Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.”

— Isaiah 40:28 (ESV)

The LORD my God is all of those. He is everlasting. He does not fade. He gives us all understanding. There is none bigger or more complete than He. When I am leaning on Him, there is nothing additional I need or desire. He fills me with all. There is no other who can match or even come close to Him.

What is your view of God and/or gods? Are you seeing the man made gods somehow as equal to God? What if you saw God as the everlasting, unfading, understanding, and that there is none other like Him?

The LORD is Great and Compassionate

I read this morning of something that I know, God is Great and God is Compassionate. Yet, even as I know it, I need to be reminded from time to time, if not daily.

“¹⁰Behold, the Lord God comes with might,

and his arm rules for him;

behold, his reward is with him,

and his recompense before him.

¹¹He will tend his flock like a shepherd;

he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom,

and gently lead those that are with young.”

— Isaiah 40:10-11 (ESV)

Let me try and paint the picture of what I see in the above two verses, yes only two verses. Here is the LORD in all His might. Standing and fighting with one hand as His other is full. The other hand is holding the little ones to ensure that they are safe from the evil before Him. And as He fights, behind Him are the rest of His guarded as they escape. They are working their way through the small gap in the cliff that He is standing in front of fighting so they are free to go through.

I know, it seems like a scene from a movie where one man is fighting for the well being of his family. Yet, isn’t that what we are, His family. We are the adopted sons and daughters of the LORD. We are the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. We are worth it all thanks to the saving grace He has provided. The LORD gathers up those who are not innocent into His arms and protects them and stands in front of evil to protect the other. He is fighting evil for us, standing in front of the gate to ensure that we have safe passage.

God’s power and compassion are on display here. He is compassionate to all who are in need, even carrying those who need Him most. And yet all the while, He is fighting for our survival in this world until we can meet up in the next to celebrate His victory.

What does the LORD look like to you? Are you seeing him only as the powerful warrior running into battle? What if you saw Him as the one standing in battle gathering the sheep and protecting them as they escape, even carrying those who need Him most?

“The Word of God Stands Forever”

The title of my writing this morning comes directly from my English Standard Version (ESV) Bible. Three verses in Isaiah to denote the eternity of the LORD.

“⁶A voice says, “Cry!”

And I said, “What shall I cry?”

All flesh is grass,

and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

⁷The grass withers, the flower fades

when the breath of the Lord blows on it;

surely the people are grass.

⁸The grass withers, the flower fades,

but the word of our God will stand forever.”

— Isaiah 40:6-8 (ESV)

No matter the beauty that comes from or that is you and me, the LORD will be more. What I see in the verses are beautiful meadows of soft green grass. There are flowers standing just above the grass to bring color and even more beauty to the eye. I imagine seeing cars stopped on the side of the road with moms, dads, and children in this field taking family photos together and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is being displayed.

Yet, this is only during a small window of time and then it is gone. Withered by the weather and the new season that has come. The green grass is now a shade of brown or withered away altogether. The flowers have lost their petals and turned to nothing. Gone from the eye to see and body to experience. It has move on to the next season and is just a memory caught in the mind or in the photos taken.

Although all of the beauty that is the meadow of grass and flowers is gone, there is one that is always there regardless of the season. There is one standing tall for all to experience. That is our LORD. His Word is always before us and guides the current and next season. Just as I am in His word this morning I am to be in His Word every morning. From God’s Word I will find the beauty that is constant and forever. His Word never fades and never turns. The Word of the LORD is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and I can stand high on its strength and beauty.

Too often we find ourselves looking other places when what is found in our eyes fade away. We tend to focus on that beauty in our eyes and miss the beauty in our hearts. The beauty of God’s Word, never withers and fades and is always and forever standing tall in our heart.

Where are you turning your eyes? Are you looking to the grass and flowers expecting them to be there always? What if you were to turn to your heart instead to find the beauty in the Word of God, as it is there always and forever?

Be Firm in Your Faith

This morning I was brought again to a passage that I have been through several times (definitely from the LORD). In my morning prayer, as I have said and continue to say, I as the LORD to bring me to the place and share with me that which I need in the moment, and this morning again He demonstrated His faithfulness to me.

The below, up to the questions at the end, are from January of 2017, and as I read and studied this morning, I thought I would post here. The LORD gave me what I needed this morning, to remember to ask for what we need and know that He will provide.

“¹¹Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” – Isaiah 7:11 (ESV)

————————————————————————

“⁹…If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” – Isaiah 7:9 (ESV)

I know that I struggle each day with staying true to God. With all that goes on in our lives, it is natural for us as human to look to ourselves to solve. I admit that it is difficult to trust that God has control and has a plan for everything, especially considering that we cannot “see” him. But isn’t that exactly what faith is, “firm belief in something for which there is no proof”, Merriam-Webster.

I am reminded every morning that I sit down and read/study the Word of God that he is indeed there. God has given us the answers to each of the struggles, situations, trials, and questions that arise each day. We must stand with him and he will answer (remember though, we must be prepared to look deeper as the answer we receive may not, and is likely not what we expect).

“²⁰Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” – 2 Chronicles 20:20 (ESV)

Where do you stand in your faith? Are you only there when you are in need? What if you were to be faithful in all things and stood firm in your faith, knowing that God will do what He says He will do and is who He says He is?

The Wise Will Keep it Simple and Quiet

Thank you LORD for again giving me your Word for learning and understanding. You challenge me to think and to work through things for mine and other’s benefit.

I was lead to Ecclesiastes this morning to be reminded and taught of what it means to be wise. I began my reading a little confused until I went back about 10 verses and read through the passage a number of times.

Wisdom is understanding over time and through experience. There is no need to continually announce your knowledge to the world. It is important to speak truth and pass on to others that which is known, yet, there is no need to shout nor is there need to complicate things.

“¹⁵But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.” “¹⁷The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”

“¹²The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,

but the lips of a fool consume him.”

“¹⁴A fool multiplies words,

though no man knows what is to be,

and who can tell him what will be after him?” – Ecclesiastes 9:15, 17 & 10:12, 14 (ESV)

In the verses above I found what the LORD had for me today. I have been struggling lately with what seems to be people not listening or taking my experience seriously in my work. I seem to be ignored with what I share and it tends to wear on me as I doubt my worth in my role. What the LORD had for me today is that I do have worth thanks to the saving grace provided by Him. My role is to give the information that I know and allow others to use it where they will. I have to be more like the “poor, wise man” and work to deliver the city, yet not concern myself with whether or not someone remembers me.

Wisdom is to be shared, but as noted in the verses above, it is given and then let to sit. I have to remember that being loud, is not getting it done, as when someone does not want to hear, it does not matter the volume. Loud words to the deaf are just noise that mean nothing. I have to remember to give my information and allow others to search themselves to find the need for it and come to me when more is desired.

I also have to remember that there is no need to go into prolonged detail. As the old saying goes, “K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Silly”. Give the information in the way that others can and will learn from it, all others. Keep the words few. Why use 10 words when 5 will do just fine.

I ask the LORD daily for discernment in my bible study and for the Him to reveal to me that which He has for me. This morning He did just that. I am to be content in the wisdom He has given me. I am to share it quietly and simply for all to have the opportunity to benefit. I cannot be concerned with recognition in this world, as my reward is in heaven.

How are you working with what you know? Are you shouting it from the rooftops and using many words? What if you were to give to others quietly and keep it simple and then letting it sit?

Concern Yourself with Good

This morning as usual, I read the entire chapter or full titled section to gain context for my study. I found it more challenging this morning as I read through Proverbs 24 as I was looking for the context and not just allowing the verse/stanza to speak for itself.

“¹⁹Fret not yourself because of evildoers,

and be not envious of the wicked,

²⁰for the evil man has no future;

the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

— Proverbs 24:19-20 (ESV)

The above is where I was led this morning for my Bible Study. Proverbs is always a good and interesting place for me be. It is really, in my view, a collection of what to do and what to stay away from. Even the introduction in my ESV Bible indicates that it is a “collection of Israelite wisdom literature”. The verses and stanzas can stand by themselves in a lot of cases.

I am to concern myself with good and know that evil and wickedness will be taken care of by the LORD. When I am presented with evil and wicked, I am to move on and turn to good with my attention and focus. Yes, there is a time for me to work to overcome darkness with the light of the LORD. He will give me those opportunities as I seek to do the Will of the LORD. But, I am also to remember that if/when the LORD is not accepted, I am to move on.

“¹⁴And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. ¹⁵Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” – Matthew 10:14-15 (ESV)

There is no kingdom gain from the continued concern with the evil and wicked. I will only waste away as I try to change them as after all, I cannot, only the LORD can. I plant seeds of the LORD and then He takes over to grow in the heart. Once I have completed my work, I am to move on to the next.

Yes, I can and should continue to pray that God’s Will be done in the heart of the evil and wicked. I am to ask that the LORD continue to do His work. But, I am to move on and not concern myself with more work, once my work is done. I am to move on to the good and devote my concern there.

So, as noted in verse 19 from Proverbs 24 above, I have to “fret not” with regard to that of the evildoers and the wicked. I have to move on to the good and do the work the LORD has for me.

What is your thought on interactions with the evil and wicked? Are you pouring and concerning all of yourself into them? What if you were to plant the seed and then move on to the next good, allowing the LORD to grow the seed?

Steer Clear of Revenge

This morning my study of the word “will” continues and I am lead to Proverbs 20 where I find a quick verse related to what I believe is revenge and the need to avoid.

“²²Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’;

wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”

— Proverbs 20:22 (ESV)

The thing is that there is also that when wrong is committed against one, their should be justice in kind. Isn’t this a bit of conflicting information found in God’s Word?

“²³But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, ²⁴eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” – Exodus 21:23-25

NO it is not. You see, the in kind justice is just that, justice. In the time of Exodus, the justice was delivered through the justice system of the time. Just as it is today in this world. Justice is delivered through out court systems and following the strict laws of man accordingly.

When I am looking at the verse from Proverbs, I see justice to be carried out by the judge, God. I have to look back at realities that I am not to judge and that I am to leave that up to the LORD to take care. Whether or not someone committed evil against me is not for me to retaliate. I am to give such things to the LORD and give Him glory and honor, knowing and understanding that He will deal with the evil.

Here is the rub that, when I look inward, really gets me through this process of giving things to the LORD for His justice to be delivered. Not only was I wronged by evil and the evil action done to me, but I got my feelings hurt and want an irrational response to get back at the evil. I want to have the evil repaid with evil that was done to me. I want revenge or to avenge. I am not in the mood to wait for the LORD to take action over the course of time, and maybe even after I am long gone. I felt pain and I want to witness the pain inflicted back.

But, I have to remember that the LORD has a plan and my timing is not in line with His. He had a reason to allow the evil to impact me. He has a plan to deal with the evil. He is the judge and will deliver the justice that is deserved and that is in line with His plan. I am to give it all to Him and allow Him to deliver the justice that is due. I have to remember that it is His wrath that I have been saved from and that sin (evil done to me) will feel the weight of His wrath in the end.

Yes, I know that the pain of the evil done will affect the way I think, but I am to steer clear of revenge and love. I am to display love and give the delivery of justice to the LORD and allow Him to do so in His way and in His time. He will deliver me from the pain and fill me with His glory to be shown to the world.

What is your approach when you experience evil done to you? Do you go to the seeking revenge? What if you opened your heart and allowed love out, turning things over to God so that He can deliver the justice according to His plan?