Isaiah 53:3

This is the prophetic description of Messiah (Jesus) that was so unexpected, so outrageous, so confusing, that the Jews of Jesus' day simply could not include it in their understanding of Messiah. It did not fit with their expectation of a 2nd Moses who would come and deliver them from Roman oppression like Moses had done earlier from Egypt. This blind spot caused the Jews of Jesus' day to be the very ones guilty of despising and rejecting Jesus! The blind spot of humanity is that in our pride, we refuse to see that our main problem is not external oppression but internal sin. That is what we need delivered from. And so the very sin that Jesus came to die for is on full display in how He was treated. Human pride and blindness to our own sin is still our biggest problem!

PASSAGE: Isaiah 53:3 - "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."

PAUSE: Slow down and reflect! Jesus Christ, the world's Savior, was despised and rejected so that we might live. Jesus Christ took on our sorrows and grief so that we might be forgiven. Let us all pause in this moment and look at our Beautiful Savior, who suffered and died! Settle your hearts in this truth.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, too often, I complain about my afflictions and grief without ever considering the suffering that you endured so that I might live. Forgive me for this and help me reflect more during this series.