Daily Devotional with Dr. Duane Brooks
May 10, 2017
Isaiah 53:4-5 
Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
New International Version (NIV)
                Wouldn't you love to hear Isaiah preach?  This amazing prophet preached the gospel seven centuries before Jesus was born.  He understood the problem with our sin and our need for a Savior.  Isaiah had a close encounter with God in the Temple which transformed his vision of God's holiness and his own unholiness. 

                In the last 27 chapters of Isaiah, we catch a glimpse of God's redemptive purpose.  He begins with comfort and points toward hope.  Isaiah gives us the Servant Songs which reveal the promise of God to his people.  Today's passage is the most famous of the four songs.  It pictures the vicarious death of God's servant.  Often interpreters have seen the servant as Israel.  Certainly, Israel suffered.  But Isaiah identifies himself, and the people of Israel separately. 

                These verses describe for us the death of the Messiah on behalf of the sins of the people.  If the servant dies for the sins of Isiah and Israel, then the servant must not be Israel.  I heard Stuart Rothberg ask and answer this question at my friend Jeff Lerner's funeral.  Israel did not die for the sins of Israel.  But Jesus died for all of our sin.  His suffering is vicarious:  he was crucified in our place.  His suffering is also victorious, leading us to forgiveness, peace and healing.  Preach Isaiah!  We need to hear you. 

               Charles Wesley caught it in one of our favorite hymns:  "Died he for me who caused his pain?  For me, who him to death pursued?  Amazing love how can it be?  That thou my God shouldst die for me?"  
 Pray with me:  
Father, we thank you for forgiveness and healing in the powerful name of Jesus.  Thank you that he took up our pain and suffering.  Help us to remember the price he paid and to receive your gift of salvation we pray.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses.  You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link  http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God. 
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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