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He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. — Isaiah 53:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... As we did yesterday, today we look at one of Isaiah's four Servant Songs ( Isaiah 42:1-9 , 49:1-7 , 50:4-9 , 52:13-53:12 ) that speak of the coming of God's servant Messiah, whom we know as Jesus, our LORD and Savior. I don't know how Jesus could stand up under the weight of his divine assignment as Messiah and Suffering Servant, but he did for you and me. This servant song ( Isaiah 52:13-53:12 ) emphasizes what Jesus endured and carried, along with the weight of his cross. He carried my sin, your sin, our sin with him to the cross. He allowed the weight of our sins to be placed upon him so that we would not have to bear the consequences of the...

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and he carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. — Isaiah 53:3-4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus was everything, created everything, and gave up everything to become nothing for you and me ( Philippians 2:5-8 ). Most of the people on earth he came to save didn't recognize him or accept him when he was here. Many in the crowds just assumed he deserved what he got, crucifixion. Most did not repent. But there was something about Jesus' self-sacrificing story, self-emptying story that grabs our hearts and calls us, God's lost children, home. On our journey home, we not only find him to be our Savior, but also the servant promised by God through Isaiah the prophet ( Isaiah 42:1-9 , 49:1-7 , 50:4-9 , 52:13-53:12 ), God's Son...

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Righteousness! That's what we are. We are not just righteous. No, it is much bigger than that. We are God's righteousness. Before Jesus, and without Jesus, no one is righteous ( Romans 3:21-24 ). Now, however, we find our righteousness in him ( Philippians 3:9 ). We are the testimony of how holy and gracious God truly is because of Jesus ( Ephesians 2:1-9 ). God provided the sacrifice for our sins, and now his righteousness has re-created us in Christ Jesus to do good works for him in our broken world ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ; Ephesians 2:10 ). Altogether, this is God's righteousness, and that's what he has made us, his righteousness in Jesus! My Prayer... Thank You, Almighty God, for making me righteous by the blood of your Son's death. May people see a reflection of your holiness, justice, and mercy in me, as I t...

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. — 1 Timothy 2:5-6 Thoughts on Today's Verse... We do not need to have another human, no matter how mighty, pious, or special, to intercede for us before God. As God's children, we can go freely, knowing that God himself has provided the perfect mediator and intercessor between himself and us. That mediator is the Son, who is head of the Church, one with God himself, and our High Priest interceding before God on our behalf. His name is the man, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Son, and our LORD, Savior, and brother, who ransomed us through the cross and who now lives to make intercession for us ( Hebrews 2:11-14 , 4:14-15 , 7:25 ; Acts 3:6 ). My Prayer... O God, you are my God, and I praise you for making access to you so freely available. I know that if left to my own worthiness, I would have no strength or righte...

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. — Psalm 62:7 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Who we are, what becomes of us in life, and what we accomplish of significance are all in God's hands. We cannot achieve lasting honor for ourselves without his blessing. We cannot secure our future or our safety without his protection and blessing. The basis of all achievement and glory is dependent upon our willingly placing our lives in his care because he alone is permanent, eternal, and offers us life that is unending, with our future secure. Video Commentary... ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer... O God, you are my Rock, the Fortress of my life. I place myself in your care, willingly and dependently. Please take charge of my future and use me for your glory in that future. In you I take refuge, and on your strength I rely to make my days worthwhile and my life to make a difference in the world for Jesus. I seek you and your Kingdom a...

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. — Philippians 1:29 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we read the book of Acts, we find the disciples were "rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" ( Acts 5:41 ). Since Jesus has already victoriously passed through the horrible ordeal of his crucifixion for us, we should consider it a privilege, not a hardship, to share in his sufferings. The truth of our commitment is often best shown to the skeptical when we are "under fire." So let's keep our character when under attack and rejoice because we've seen in Jesus what happens when God's children are faithful even at the cost of their lives. My Prayer... What a precious name you have given to your son, O LORD. May it be exalted in all the earth and throughout all the heavens, until every heart knows that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God and LORD of the...