Salvation: A Study in IsaiahSample

What does it say?

Even though Israel sinned greatly against God, He would send them a servant to teach them – one who knows their suffering and speaks in ways they understand.

What does it mean?

Isaiah predicted that God’s special servant would be one who would be humble in the face of persecution. The servant would give his back to those who would beat him, his beard to those who would rip it out, and his face to those who would mock and spit on him. Over 700 years later, Jesus’ followers could not help but notice how much Jesus acted in this manner when His back was whipped, when He was mocked, and when His face was slapped and spit upon before He was crucified. Just as God vindicated the servant in Isaiah, so was Jesus Christ when God raised Him from the dead.

How should I respond?

While we know that Jesus wants us to share the good news of salvation with the world (Acts 1:8), we often fear what our friends, family, or neighbors will think if we tell them. Jesus said that since the world hated Him first, the same will be true of those who follow Him (John 15:18-19). Imagine the worst-case scenario you might encounter in telling someone the good news of salvation. Ask God to give you the grace to overcome your anxiety about such a scenario. Now, imagine the best-case scenario you might encounter. This, my friend, is why we tell people the good news!