June 23, 2019 Second Sunday after Pentecost

“1 ¶ “I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ To a nation that was not called by My name. 2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; 3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; 4 Who sit among the graves, And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day. 6 “Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence, but will repay — Even repay into their bosom —  7 Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,” Says the LORD, “Who have burned incense on the mountains And blasphemed Me on the hills; Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.” 8 ¶ Thus says the LORD: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,’ So will I do for My servants’ sake, That I may not destroy them all. 9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, And from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, And My servants shall dwell there.” (Isaiah 65:1-9 NKJV)

Isaiah presents us with the most complete picture of Jesus in the Old Testament and perhaps even in the Bible. Most of the passages both prepare us for the coming of the Messiah and offers a description of Jesus.

Take time to look over this passage the references to Jesus. At first you may miss some but pray God will open your eyes and soul to see Jesus revealed in this passage and throughout the book of Isaiah.

In the first part of this passage we are shown the love and mercy offered through Jesus on the cross. “I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people”.

Isaiah “paints” a 3 dimensional picture of Jesus, the Messiah, spreading His arms to those who are evil and hate God as well as to those who cry out in pain and fear. But the spreading arms also reveal the sacrifice of Jesus would extend from then to the beginning of time and to the end of time.

Isaiah reveals a very in-depth and painful look at who we are without the help and sacrifice of Jesus. We can see ourselves as God sees us and our need of Jesus the Messiah.

Let us turn from not just the horror of humanity but also who we are to Jesus who spread His arms in sacrifice bearing our sin so we can be made holy. God desiring us even though we are undesirable and loving we who are unlovable and unable to love. Discover your true “esteem” in God’s love for you!