What Sets God Apart….

One of the greatest chapters in all of scripture is Isaiah chapter 53. The two points I want to make are pretty simple, yet profoundly life-altering. First, the one thing that sets God apart from all other religions and practices is the fact that He prophesied the future with 100% accuracy. No one has ever done that in the history of planet earth. This chapter tells us the why, the how, the when and where of Jesus’ condemnation, trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection almost 700 years in advance, with such detail, it’s like it was written after the fact. Secondly, and just as important, this passage gives us a window that looks out into the answer to the question that the world is always asking in condemning God, but yet fails to look deeper into. The world will always ask the question, “Why does God allow pain and suffering”? This question reveals a lot about the questioner. They really don’t want to know the answer, they just use it as an excuse to deny God, and try to feel better about their self-righteousness. Here’s my response. If God is all mighty, all knowing, all powerful, and loving, why does He allow suffering? First, He can do whatever He wants. Who are we to tell God what to do? Second, maybe suffering serves a purpose. Isn’t the greatest lessons you’ve learned in life involved pain, suffering, and loss? Lastly, and most importantly, we have to ask ourselves, “if God is all of these things (mentioned above), what was He doing on a cross”? Answer, God does not remain distant from our human suffering, but He has become part of it. He stepped into space and time to participate and experience what it’s like to be human, all because of His love for us. If Jesus was willing to do that, it’s all the evidence I need to bow my knee and serve Him. Does that answer the question asked? It does for me. How about you? Because Jesus rose from the dead, he is going to be the ultimate judge. He traversed the human experience. He understands us, not only from a Creator point of view, but from a participant point of view as well. He knows how you feel when people betray you. He knows what losing a loved one feels like. He knows joy, pain, betrayal, distrust, being lied to, being rejected, and being loved are all about. The Creator of the Universe knows what it’s like to be human, every single aspect. I trust Him with my life, for He gave His life for you and me. I hope you now have a little more insight into Who God is, and what sets Him apart from everything.

1 Who has believed our message?To whom has the Lord revealed His powerful arm?2 My Servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,like a root in dry ground.There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance,nothing to attract us to Him.3 He was despised and rejected–a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way.He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses He carried;it was our sorrows that weighed Him down.And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God,a punishment for His own sins!5 But He was pierced for our rebellion,crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole.He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.We have left God’s paths to follow our own.Yet the Lord laid on Himthe sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,yet He never said a word.He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,He did not open His mouth.8 Unjustly condemned,He was led away.No one cared that He died without descendants,that His life was cut short in midstream.But He was struck downfor the rebellion of My people.9 He had done no wrongand had never deceived anyone.But He was buried like a criminal;He was put in a rich man’s grave. 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush Himand cause Him grief.Yet when His life is made an offering for sin,He will have many descendants.He will enjoy a long life,and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in His hands.11 When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish,He will be satisfied.And because of His experience,My righteous Servant will make it possiblefor many to be counted righteous,for He will bear all their sins.12 I will give Him the honors of a victorious soldier,because He exposed Himself to death.He was counted among the rebels.He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53:1-12