“Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (Isa. 53:1)

Mark opens up the Gospel record, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). We have the greatest message (report; doctrine; news; tidings) ever revealed to proclaim. We have glad tidings of good things (cf. Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15). We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom, the church (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-8; Matt. 4:23, 16:18-19). Preach! Proclaim!

How shall they hear without a preacher (Rom. 10:14)? What if they do not believe our report? Some will not (cf. Rom. 10:16; Acts 28:24). Jesus faced the same but kept preaching (cf. John 12:37-38). In fact, the very words of Jesus will judge us all (John 12:48) so woe unto us if we do not preach the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:16). Preach! Proclaim!

God chose preaching to save those that believe (obey). He placed saving power in the Gospel. Let us get that beautiful Gospel message out to the lost and dead in sin (cf. 1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 1:16-17). Preach! Proclaim!

Trent Thrasher

“So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.” (Isa. 52:15)

When was the last time we stood in awe of the Christ and what He did? The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (the Septuagint or LXX) carries the idea of nations wondering at Christ versus “sprinkle”. Regardless, we know Christ died for all (2 Cor. 5:14-15) and that His atoning sacrifice was for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2). Sadly, not all will be saved but only those who are obedient to God (cf. 1 Pet. 1:2; Heb. 5:9).

The beauty of Christ’s sacrifice is that all people have a chance at “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven" (1 Pet. 1:4). Let us give someone a chance at that beautiful reward by telling them about Christ so that they might obey the Gospel!

Trent Thrasher

“As many were astonied at thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, And his form more than the sons of men:” (Isa. 52:14)

Jesus took a brutal beating so much so that Isaiah peers through the telescope of prophecy and exclaims that “His visage” (appearance) “was so marred” (disfigured) “more than any man.” Indeed, the Bible records that they scourged Jesus before the cross (cf. John 19:1).

Scourging was called the “little death” and consisted of Roman soldiers taking a short-handled whip (flagellum) with leather straps affixed with sharp bits of bone and metal and beating the victim within inches of their life. This was an implement of carnage resulting in the tearing of the flesh and exposing vital organs. Sometimes the person did not survive the beating. They plowed upon the Savior and made their furrows long (Psalm 129:3) of which He did not turn away (Isa. 50:6). Even His bones were exposed (Psalm 22:17).

Christ took the beating of all beatings for you and for me! Let us suffer for Him such that God is glorified (cf. 1 Pet. 2:21-25, 4:12-19).

Trent Thrasher

“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.” (Isa. 52:13)

This prophecy is concerning the Christ, the Servant of God (cf. Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). In dealing prudently, not only did Christ behave himself wisely by never sinning (1 Pet. 2:22), He accomplished the work His Father gave Him to do (John 17:4). What an example!

The Father thus exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name (Phil. 2:9). Every knee should bow (show respect or awe) at the name of Jesus (Phil. 2:10) and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11). There is a time coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess (cf. Isa. 45:23; Rom. 14:11). Every one of us shall give account to God for the things done in the body whether good or bad (cf. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10).

Dear reader, please bow the knee to Christ now while it is in your power to do so! Submit to His loving will and serve God just as Christ served Him to His glory. Do not fight against God for such leads only to destruction (cf. Acts 5:38-39; Jas. 4:4-10).

Trent Thrasher