I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
His Pain, Our Gain
Isaiah 53 is a stunning chapter in the Bible—in what is now commonly referred to as the “Old Testament.”
Approximately 700 years before Jesus walked the earth, Isaiah prophesied about a suffering servant who would also, somehow and in some way, be exalted. A coming Savior, a future Redeemer, the long-awaited Messiah—whose death would ultimately bring life.
A portion of Isaiah 53 says this:
“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.”
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
So, who was this man who would be pierced, crushed, and wounded because of someone else’s sins? Whose undeserved punishment would be the catalyst for healing? Whose life would be given as an offering—so that others might live?
Jesus Christ not only fits the description of the suffering servant who paid the ultimate price to buy His people back, redeem them, and set them free—He also fits the description of many other inspired predictions about the promised deliverer of the Jewish nation…
The Messiah was prophesied to come from the lineage of David (Isaiah 9:7) and be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He would do astonishing miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6). Though innocent (Isaiah 53:8), He’d be betrayed by a close friend (Psalm 41:9), beaten and spit on (Isaiah 50:6), pierced in the hands and feet (Psalm 22:16), and ultimately killed (Daniel 9:26). But because He would intercede for rebels (Isaiah 53:12), many would be counted as righteous (Isaiah 53:11).
Just as a soldier would give his life for his fellow countrymen, Jesus gave His life for the world.
Today, consider the consequences of Jesus’ decision. Consider the abundant life you have access to because Jesus took on your suffering and shame. Reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion as you go about your day.
A Gift Worth Receiving
After Jesus healed a man who had been paralyzed for almost four decades, the religious Jews were angry with Him. This may seem strange, because healing is a good thing, but Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath—the day of rest. In the Old Testament, God gave believers a long list of rules to follow in order to stay right with Him, and these rules included honoring the Sabbath.
But in the New Testament, Jesus was sent to change our relationship with the Father. By sacrificing Himself on the cross, He gave us access to a relationship with God—so that long list of rules was no longer needed. Throughout Jesus' life, He shows people the nature of this new relationship. But because it didn’t line up with what the religious establishment believed, they were angry with Him.
In John 5, Jesus justifies these changes through revealing His true authority. By calling God His Father, He shared that He was equal to God. This angered the religious Jews, but it gives us a ...
