Topic: Marred by love unspeakable
Text: Isaiah 53
Key verse:
The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him.
There are several other stories l could still write about that model Marred vessels who became choice vessels. Anna was marred by grief, she turned her pain to a ministry, she lived the rest of her days as an intercessor for Israel. Many were marred by persecution, but in spite of it someone like John on the island of Patmos, choose to forget his abandonment and be a vessel to receive for us the vision of the future we all longed to look at.
Mary the mother of Jesus walked in obedience to the call of God, to be the mother of our Lord. Suffering and pain, pierced her soul , yet she followed on to the very end, even after his ascension. What has the Lord spoken to you in this series so far? This has been a heart to heart conversation with a fellow pilgrim, on the same journey with you. No event or experience is in vain. The Potter always uses it to work out something good for the vessel that remains in his hand. Note my words, it is the Potter who works, not you!
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 (AMPC)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
It is God\’s work, not mine nor yours. We must live in expectation that we will not have to face what we cannot bear, and there will always be a way out for us! The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Today, we focus on the one who was Marred by choice, he obediently answered the call to allow himself face all kinds of pains just for his love for man. Our key verse notes that, he did not look like the kind of person we would have loved to be with or be associated with, yet it was for man he allowed himself to be bruised, crushed, and marred.
The message of being born again, is so simple that we trivialize it, it is so cheap and easy to become a Christian so we make that decision many times over, and as quickly as we face opposition we deny him, only to comeback to him at the next altar call.
Stop what you are doing and read this text out loud in the NLT or Message translation. Note how many times, it uses the words \”our\”, \”us\”, and we . Insert your name in those words.
But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. It was a plan, not an accident or coincidence for Jesus to suffer! It was not in vain after all. Your salvation and life as a believer, is the result of that sacrifice.
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.When we are going through, we cannot see the good that can come out of our pain or suffering, but in the end, you will see it when the Master Potter is done.
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.
You will be satisfied! It will be worth it in the end! You are a vessel in the Potter\’s hand.
It was love that moved him towards the cross, as he saw what was coming in Gethsemane , he wanted to turn back, but his love for you kept pulling him towards pain, shame and suffering to pay the price for your sins! Now that you know, what are you willing to do with Jesus?
Love him, hate him, the choice is yours. I choose to honour him with my life. Being a Christian has ceased to be a religion, it is now a relationship with my Lord, the one who took the fall, and thought of me, above all!
You can share your journey with me, it will encourage me too. Send a mail to closinggapsko@gmail.com let\’s continue this conversation.
Blessings as we await the glory.
Roses&Thorns
