THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 48-50
“That my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
Within these chapters we sense the tension between God’s frustration and compassion.
God hates the sin in the world, yet He loves the people of the world.
God cannot ignore or tolerate sin, nor can He forget His children.
This captures the tension of history, the crisis of justice and mercy.
We see that crisis played out in the cross (today is Good Friday).
Sin is condemned, but God absorbs that condemnation for us in Jesus.
Jesus reveals God’s love for the world, His desire to save all people.
God does not want anyone to perish, yet some will stubbornly refuse salvation.
In Christ God has done everything needed to make salvation possible for all.
In Jesus God is spreading His grace message “to the ends of the earth”.
In us, Jesus is extending His grace zone to the Gentiles (all people).
It has always been God’s plan to bless the nations through Israel (Genesis 12:1-2).
As Jesus followers, we do not just enjoy hope for ourselves, we share it with others.
May we not add to God’s frustration by refusing to share His compassion!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, God loved the cosmos so much that He sent You into the thick of our stubborn sin and desperate misery. Help me to spread this hope to all people, to the ends of the earth!
Listen.
Open your ears and hear the word.
Listen to the words of the Lord your God.
He tells you what is best for me
and
tells me in the way that I need to go.
I need to be His servant
in service of the King.
My hope is in the Lord my God – my Saviour, Redeemer and Friend.
God is my Help and Strength.
God is our Refuge and our Strength,
Our ever present Aid,
And, therefore, though the earth remove,
We will not be afraid;
Though hills amidst the sea be cast,
Though foaming waters roar,
Yes, though the mighty billows shake
The mountains on the shore.
Be still and know that I am God,
O’er all exalted high;
The subject nations of the earth
My Name shall magnify.
The Lord of Hosts is on our side,
Our safety is secure;
The God of Jacob is for us
A refuge strong and sure