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He Had No Beauty

This time of year holds an attraction for most people, including unbelievers. The sounds, sights, and smells of Christmas naturally attract us. That’s not a bad thing, in and of itself, but we should not be deceived into thinking that Christ’s birth, nor the years that followed, looked like a Christmas postcard.

Today’s reading predicted that the Messiah, whom we know as Jesus, would not attract people based on His outward appearance. He had “no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” In other words, Jesus was not the kind of Messiah most people were expecting. Instead of being celebrated, He was “despised and rejected by men.” But, praise God, even Christ’s rejection was part of God’s saving plan, for “it was the will of the Lord to crush Him” (Isaiah 53:10).

Christ was not punished for His own sin, since He had none, but rather He was “crushed for our iniquities” (emphasis added). Jesus took our punishment on the cross to bring us peace with God. The One who, outwardly speaking, looked so unimpressive to the world is beautiful and precious to the eyes of faith. This Messiah was a “man of sorrows,” but to believers, He brings indescribable and unending joy.

Simple Summary

Jesus did not attract people based on what He looked like. Most people did not believe He was the Savior, and some even hated Him enough to crucify Him. However, Jesus’ death on the cross was the payment for our sins. This Savior who was hated by men brings forgiveness and salvation to those who trust in Him.

Pray

Thank Christ for being willing to be despised, rejected, and crucified so that we might be forgiven of our sins and have peace with God.