SATURDAY STROLL

Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be interacting with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.

Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking with us.

There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!

So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!

THE STORY OF THE LORD'S SUFFERING SERVANT

My servant grew up in My presence like a tender green shoot…

The servant came as a baby, grew up as a child, became a man…

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract anyone to him…

He was not a celebrity, a fashion model, he didn't have a face that anyone would necessarily remember or adore or idolize…

He was despised and rejected…

He didn't win any popularity contests, he didn't win an election, he never won an award…

He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief…

The servant was not a clown or the life of the party – he empathized with those who mourn…

Yet it was your weakness he carried, it was your sorrows that weighed him down…

My sin, your sin, burdened his shoulders and broke his heart…

He was pierced for your rebellion…

His wounds were the ones we deserved, we treasonous bunch of sinners…

He was beaten so you could be whole…

His face was disfigured by punches, his body was wracked with pain – he was wounded – so that we might be healed…

All of you have strayed away – you have left My paths to follow your own…

Willful, stubborn, proud, defiant, and disobedient…

Yet I laid on him the sins of all…

And the Father had to turn His back on His only Son…

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word…

The graciously silent Jesus…

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter…

The perfect sacrifice, willing to die in our place…

Unjustly condemned, he was led away…

Putting aside his power, he humbly let humans execute him…

No one cared that his life was cut short in midstream…

A meager 33 years…

He had done no wrong, but he was struck down for the rebellion of My people…

Oh Jesus, we are so very sorry…

But it was My good plan to crush him, and this plan will prosper in his hands…

For it was set into motion before the creation of the world…

And because of his experience, My righteous servant will make it possible for many to be called righteous, for he will bear all their sins…

And we will be saved…

See, My servant will prosper and he will be highly exalted…

Above all nations, above all rulers and principalities and powers, above all of creation, with authority in the heavens and on earth…

And kings will stand speechless in His presence…

At His name every knee shall bow, every tongue confess…

That Jesus Christ is Lord – the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End – our Savior, Faithful and True!

AMEN.

(Scripture taken from Isaiah 52 and 53)

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