Identification with Jesus comes before celebration
Isaiah 53-55/John 5-6
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OT
53:1-10 Who has believed our message? To whom will the LORD reveal his saving power? My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins–that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich mans grave. But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s plan will prosper in his hands.
NT
6:5-9 Jesus soon saw a great crowd of people climbing the hill, looking for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, “It would take a small fortune to feed them!” Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
OT Flash Points
Our weaknesses & sorrows weighed Jesus down
For our sins, He was wounded & crushed
To make peace for us he was beaten
To heal us He was whipped
The guilt for our rebellion was laid on Him
“You don’t have a clue of My ways”
NT Flash Points
You haven’t got a clue about God’s ways
“If you did you would recognize Me”
Yet He continues to heal & feed the people
The Father draws people to Jesus
Jesus tests
Perspective
Remember – God’s way of thinking is foreign to us
Our best or wisest conclusions aren’t even close
Just go with Him, listen and learn
Then replace your way with His. Permanently
Take the necessary steps to make it inevitably your new normal
Jesus is the Normal Standard Human in the Kingdom of God
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