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February 5, Sunday
An audio recording of the following reading is available below.
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Substitution — Isaiah’s predictions of the Suffering Servant were fulfilled in Jesus, and the main idea in this paragraph is that He did it for us. He was our substitute. We deserve to be punished for our sins, but “He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities” (v. 5). The Righteous One suffered for the unrighteous. That is the ultimate sacrifice—willingly and innocently suffering the death penalty for someone else who was guilty. Think of that when you participate in the next communion service at church. Jesus died for you. He was your substitute. That is the grace of God.
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February 6, Monday
An audio recording of the following reading is available below.
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Without Complaint or Deceit — In the first and last verses of this stanza, the mouth of the Servant was mentioned. First was His uncomplaining mouth. I have seen both a goat and a pig killed in the Philippines in preparation for family celebrations. The goat made absolutely no sound through the whole process, but the pig was loudly squealing from the time he was brought on a cart from the market until it breathed its last breath. When Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus’ death, “He did not open His mouth” (v. 7). He opened His mouth in prayer, in forgiveness, and in providing for His mother, but never in complaint. He knew why He was there and He died voluntarily. He said, “I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one takes it away from Me, but from Myself, I lay it down” (John 10:17-18). How do we handle the hard situations in our own lives? Are we more like a pig or a goat? Do we loudly and defiantly complain or do we submit to God’s care and what He wants us to learn during our suffering? The second comment about the Servant’s mouth in this part of Isaiah’s prophecy was, “Nor was there any deceit in His mouth” (Isa. 53:9). Jesus was completely honest. He didn’t pretend to be something that He wasn’t. When someone asked Him a question, He gave a straight answer, even if it was painful to receive. He was entirely genuine. O that these two qualities would characterize our own lives! Not complaining and not deceiving.
He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word – YouTube
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February 7, Tuesday
An audio recording of the following reading is available below.
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From Anguish to Satisfaction — Jesus, as the fulfillment of this prophecy, would suffer anguish, not only in His body, but also in His soul (“the anguish of His soul”—v. 11). Part of that anguish was that He had to take upon Himself “the sin of many” (v. 12). Paul wrote that God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf” (2 Cor. 5:21). What anguish that was for Jesus! On the other side of that anguish, however, was positive satisfaction: “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11). What was it that would satisfy Jesus? Several things are suggested here. First, He “will justify the many” (v. 11b), being satisfied in making righteous (“justify”) those who would turn to Him in faith. Second, because “He will bear their iniquities” (v. 11b), He would have the satisfaction of seeing the burden of sin taken off those who come to Him, which would also be a satisfaction for them. The third satisfaction is also both for Him and for us: “He will divide the spoil with the strong” (v. 12a), as a military leader would distribute the spoils of victory to his soldiers. We believers are “the strong,” who benefit in this life from the gracious provision of God and will enjoy His rewards in heaven. The last satisfaction is probably mostly for us: “He … interceded for the transgressors” (v. 12b). The author of Hebrews wrote that for “those who draw near to God through Him … He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). From the anguish of Jesus comes the satisfaction of His saints.
Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary – YouTube
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February 8, Wednesday
An audio recording of the following reading is available below.
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Deliverance and Protection — God is often called a Redeemer, but apparently only here is this term used to refer to the Messiah: “A Redeemer will come to Zion” (v. 20a). A redeemer is one who does or pays what is necessary to deliver and protect someone or something treasured. The expression, “kinsman redeemer,” appears in the Old Testament story of Boaz, who was a kinsman redeemer for Ruth. He bought the field that belonged to Ruth’s deceased husband, which provided her as his wife and gave protection for her wellbeing. Later, the Messiah would come “to those who turn from transgression” (v. 20b). Jesus came as our Redeemer to offer us spiritual deliverance and eternal protection. We are so precious to Him that He willingly paid the price of His physical life to rescue us from the bondage of sin and its punishment in order to bring us into His care.
Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It – YouTube
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February 9, Thursday
An audio recording of the following reading is available below.
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Why He Came — The word “me” is used three times in verse 1 (“… upon me … anointed me … sent me”). To whom does it refer? The LSB (Legacy Standard Bible) presents it in lower case, so they apparently assume it is referring to Isaiah. On the other hand, the ESV Study Bible believes that it refers to the Messiah, and I agree. Jesus read verses 1-2a of this passage when He spoke in the synagogue of His hometown in Nazareth, and after reading it, He said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:20). Jesus confirmed that Isaiah’s prophecy referred to Him. Why was He anointed and sent? Our passage for today gives several reasons. First, “To bring good news to the afflicted” and “…to bind up the brokenhearted” (Isa. 61:1a). He is the solution for our hurts, depression, and discouragement. Second, “To proclaim release to captives” (v. 1b). He has freed us from the bondage of sin and Satan’s forces. Third, “To proclaim the favorable year of Yahweh” (v. 2a). Jesus promised that He would return for His Second Coming. Finally, “To comfort all who mourn” and “To grant” honor, joy, praise, and stability to them (v. 3). He will pour out blessings to those who have followed Him faithfully. What a day that will be!
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus – YouTube
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February 10, Friday
An audio recording of the following reading is available below.
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He Reigns as King — Twice in this passage, God said, “Behold, the days are coming” (vv. 5, 7). When? What was predicted here was partially filled when Jesus came to earth. He was the “righteous Branch” who would “reign as king” (v. 5). The angel Gabriel told Mary that “God will give Him the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:32). Then, the magi declared it when they came to see the newborn king: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matt. 2:2). When Nathaniel saw Jesus’ miraculous insight, he exclaimed, “You are the King of Israel” (John 1:49). The crowds accompanying Jesus at the Triumphal Entry cried out, “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD” (Luke 19:38). Jesus came but He died, leaving the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of believers for almost 2,000 years. He now reigns as King internally and spiritually. The complete fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy, however, will not arrive until Jesus’ Second Coming. This will be when the “righteous Branch … will reign as king … in the land” (Jer. 23:5), in a literal sense. We will be there to finally enjoy a truly righteous government.
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Meditation: God not only called the Messiah “a righteous Branch” (v. 5), but also said that “this is His name by which He will be called, ‘Yahweh our righteousness’” (v. 6). Jesus is our righteousness. When He saved us through conversion, His righteousness was given to us. We are to become more and more like Him as we mature in our Christian life of faith, but that righteousness doesn’t come from us; it comes from drawing upon His righteousness as we yield to Him in faith and obedience. “Yahweh [is] our righteousness.”
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February 11, Saturday
An audio recording of the following reading is available below.
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Being Shepherded — Ezekiel wrote at a time when the people of Israel were returning to the Promised Land from their Babylonian captivity. They would never have a physical Davidic descendant for a king until Jesus came to offer Himself as their spiritual King. Therefore, the “one shepherd, My servant David” (v. 23), must be referring to Christ, and its complete fulfillment is still in the future, when He comes for His millennial reign. Just like it was with Jeremiah’s prophecy we read about yesterday, we Christians inhabit the in-between Church age, with Christ serving as our spiritual shepherd, leading us daily through the Spirit’s indwelling presence, and instructing us in His Word. As dependent sheep, let us rest in His love and guidance today! He is the Good Shepherd.
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