Laboring is Hard

O. T. #1682  "Laboring is Hard"
May 1, 2020
Isaiah 53-Part 7
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul an suffering for all, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. (verse 10)


LET IT GLOW

Are we sharing what we have with others today? Do we look around to find needs of others that we can meet, expecting nothing in return? Someone did just that for us. Find out who as you read on, friend.

The death of Christ was the plan and purpose of God, although wicked men were personally responsible for it. What can we learn from this key verse?

• It pleased God to bruise (crush) Jesus, His Son. This was part of God's plan and sovereign will so He could show us mercy. What a great price!
• He caused Jesus grief (a sickle, as cutting); which may be rendered that He might pierce Him.
• God made Jesus Christ's soul an offering for sin, including the guilt and trespass offerings. (Numbers 5)
• Then Jesus, who had no physical lineage, but only spiritual ones, who are all the redeemed children of God, believers in Christ. We, who are born again spiritually, are His seed.
• The life of Jesus will be prolonged, which refers to His ministry will not end with the death of Jesus. He lives forever and eternally.
• The pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. The means the infinite love of Christ toward us as He takes the highest delight in our salvation and He rests in it as the fruit of His labors.

The substitutionary atonement of Christ was always the master plan of God the Father. (Falwell)

One might wonder why would it please God, who is a loving God, to kill His only Son on the cross. It was in order for Jesus to provide salvation of His seed, the children of God. We are the fruit of His sacrifice.

If Christ is your model for ministry, you cannot avoid going to the cross for the sake of others. Salvation comes with a great price, and if we are going to "take up our cross" and follow Jesus, then we must be prepared to go with Him to the place of suffering if that's what it takes to bring salvation to those around us. (Blackaby)

Are we experiencing hardship? Is the price we are paying for ministry seeming too great? Just reflect on the price God was willing to pay to bring salvation to you. Are we willing to join Him in whatever it takes to bring salvation to those around us?

LET IT GROW

He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities. (verse 11)

His (Christ) death and travail on the cross have mad possible God's family of saved sinners. These are people whom He has justified, declared righteous through His grace. (Wiersbe)

In the Hebrew language, the word travail means toil; grievance; labor; pain; sorrow; wearisome.

What can we glean from this verse?

• Christ saw all that was accomplished by His pain, substitutionary suffering, which caused God to be satisfied. He gave His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). Men used to bring animals as sacrifices for their sin and the sin of their family.(Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.)  Christ made Himself an offering for our sins.
• Because of what He did on the cross, Christ made it possible for many to be counted righteous and justified. He knew exactly what needed to be done to solve the sin problem, and was willing to do it. The plan was accomplished. Romans 5:19 states, For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.

The ultimate purpose of the coming of the Servant is not merely to teach the way to God, but to provide the way to God through His atonement. (Falwell)

Thus, Jesus said He was the Way. (John 14:6)
Are we willing to make sacrifices (travail in prayer and deeds) in order for the lost to be saved from the penalty of sin?
It may require our time, energy, or money. But in the long run, it is not even a sacrifice when we see a life brought to Christ. We must keep in mind that we are working for God and not our self as we serve others, but for God. (Colossians 3:23)

LET IT GO
Amazing love, how can it be, that You my King should die for me?
We are at a loss for words, Jesus.
Thank You and glory to Your name!!!