A Worship Guide corresponding with the today’s Bible Reading Plan: Isaiah 52/ Theme: The Startling Servant / 23-BSG-52A, (Isaiah 52:13-15)/ Hymn: Beneath the cross of Jesus (SDAH 303).

EXPLORATION: My Servant — (Isa 11:2, 3; 37:35; 42:1; 49:3, 6; 25:13-15; 53:11; Ezek. 34:23; Zech. 3:8; Ph 2:7-11)

REFLECTION: “This is perhaps the best-known section in the Book of Isaiah. Several parts of this passage are quoted in the New Testament: Isaiah 52:15 in Romans 15:21; Isaiah 53:1 in John 12:38 and Romans 10:16; Isaiah 53:4 in Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:7–8 in Acts 8:32–33; Isaiah 53:9 in 1 Peter 2:22; and Isaiah 53:12 in Luke 22:37.

Most of this vivid passage concerns the suffering and rejection of the Servant, but the main point (in Isa. 52:13; 53:11–12) is that His suffering will lead to exaltation and glory. True, the suffering is important, but His glory, which will be revealed, is equally important for it will show that the Servant did the will of God voluntarily. The Servant was rejected (chaps. 49–50), and then the remnant was exalted (51:1–52:12). Now the Servant is to be exalted (52:13–53:12).” [John A. Martin, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 1985, 1, 1106–1107].

DEVOTIONAL IMPLICATION: Jesus Christ (the Messiah) came to this World for four very specific purposes, according to this intro passage to Isaiah 53, namely,  [1] To live and act wisely, by obeying God’s will (Isa. 52:13a); [2] To be highly ‘exalted and extolled and be very high’ (Isa. 52:13b; cf. Ph. 2:7–11). [3] To be crucified (Isa. 52:14). His appearance marred: beaten and bloodied; His body disfigured: unrecognizable—He no longer looked like a man. [4] To sprinkle (cleanse) and redeem people from many nations (Isa. 52:15). Kings (and people) would be speechless before Him; And here is the best part: as a result of His Mission, His death on the Cross, many people would understand the Gospel (see Rom. 15:20–21). Beloved, the Cross of Jesus Christ is the Gospel (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 2:2; Gal 6:14). When considering the cross of Jesus, what do you see beyond the wooden Tree? How does the Cross impact your life?

THE GOSPEL’S VOICE: This section is written as if God were speaking directly to you—Because He does. What does the Lord say to me this morning? My son, My Servant, Jesus Christ humbled Himself for you: in order to reach you, redeem you and reconcile you back to Me (Rom 5:6-11). Through His atoning sacrifice at Calvary, your sin debt was paid in full, and now you have been reconciled, have peace with Me and the assurance of eternal life! What more could I have done for you? What have you done with the Message of the Cross? Have you repented of your sins? Have you accepted Jesus as the LORD and Savior? If not yet, I am inviting you to do so now.

My Desire: By God’s grace, I want to repent of my sins; study the Message of the Cross; and to to proclaim the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ.

Have A Blessed Day: Jesus Christ “stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.” (Philippians 2:7, AMP)

Worship Through Singing, (SDAH 303).
“BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS”

Beneath the cross of Jesus;
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock;
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of one
Who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of his face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.