Are you dangerous?
A recent article reports that Germany, the land of Martin Luther, has become increasingly critical of the 1.3 million evangelical Christians living there. The media has become more and more hostile to believers in Jesus. According to one German seminary leader, they are often described as “dangerous fundamentalists.” Why? They “are misfits in the framework of a totally tolerant society . . . [who] evangelize and . . . stand for absolute truth.”
The suffering Servant is depicted in the words of Isaiah 53. The prophet was given special inspiration to capture what Jesus faced as He brought His “intolerant” message of salvation for all people. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). His claims of not only knowing the truth but being the truth Himself led to His harsh treatment by those He came to save.
As we look at Isaiah’s words, we see what Jesus endured and also what those of us who believe in Him may encounter due to our dangerous faith:
• Despised and rejected (v.3)—Like our Savior, we who follow Him will be despised by those who do not accept Him or His truth claims.
• Beaten so we could be whole . . . healed (v.5)—Believers through the ages have experienced brutal treatment and even death because of their devotion to Jesus.
• Honors of a victorious soldier (v.12)—Though we may face persecution in this life, one day we will be united with the suffering Servant who has been elevated “to the place of highest honor” (Philippians 2:9).
Following Jesus will prove to be dangerous. But the honor of suffering for Him is merely a prelude to the untold joy of reigning with Him forever.
More:
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
Next:
next› How have you suffered for the cause of Christ? What has Jesus provided for you through His suffering?
surya on November 3, 2009 at 12:34 am
What a hope and privilege of the future eternal joy we have when we love and serve the King of kings who first loved us so much that He suffered and endured so much for us.
By the way, while I was reading Isaiah 53:1-12, I was constantly asking myself – How exactly did Jesus payed my sins penalty. One side is Jesus is mistreated for His claims – like the one from God, Gods son, the truth, the one knowing the truth and so on.. But when the scripture says “for our sins” I was wondering how exactly was that. One verse (v6) says the Lord God laid the sins of all on Jesus. Please help me understand more with more references from the Word of God.
pbm on November 3, 2009 at 6:52 am
I am not a Bible scholar but if you back up one verse (Isaiah 53:5), the Word says he (Jesus) was pierced for our transgressions (or our rebellion), he was crushed for our iniquities (or sins); the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed (healed of the sin we have committed). In Matthew 27:46 Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He knew God had not really forsaken him but he was expressing his anguish over the physical and spiritual pain he was experiencing because of the weight of the sins of the world. In John 19:30 as Jesus gave up his spirit, he said “It is finished” – meaning that the work God sent him to do – paying the penalty of sin once and for all – was finished – our sin debt was paid in full.
garymax on November 3, 2009 at 9:05 am
Well said pbm. Also of course the entire point of all of the O/T animal sacrifices was to paint the picture of what Jesus would do for us. An animal was the substitution for O/T believers but Jesus was the once for all manifestation of the principle of substitutionary death. The whole point of Jesus coming to earth was to be the “Lamb of God” (lambs were the sacrifice of people, Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb of God).
tom felten on November 3, 2009 at 9:42 am
Good thoughts, pbm and garymax. A passage that might prove helpful, surya, is Hebrews 10:1-14. Verse 10 reads, “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Only Jesus, in His perfection, could be the sacrifice for the our sins.
cynthiatoy3 on November 3, 2009 at 11:33 am
This blog goes with the daily bread which was talking about fear and the only person we should fear is God. When I think about what Jesus has done for me I am so thankful, and there will always be individuals who would like to slaughter us as sheeps. I thank God for all he has done and I really like Isaiah 53:1-12
Paulajo on November 3, 2009 at 10:56 pm
It is so true that being a follower of Christ will bring about a lot of pain and suffering. Matthew 10:34-36 says, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter- in- law against her mother- in- law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
Though the ultimate end of the gospel is peace with God, the immediate result of the gospel is frequently conflict. Conversion to Christ can result in strained family relationships, persecution, and even death. By agreeing to follow Christ, we are basically saying to Christ that we are willing to suffer and endure these hardships for righteousness sake. If they persecuted Him, certainly we will be persecuted as well. I am so grateful and indebted to Christ for all the suffering and pain that He went through for me–sparing me from the wrath of God. He took on the wrath of God and that is why He felt forsaken by God on the cross. Through Christ’s example, I can handle the suffering and pain from man when I think that I am spared from the wrath of God! Isaiah 53 is a great chapter to read on a regular basis so we can appreciate what God has done for us AND to be able to hang on in our suffering as we identify with Him, knowing we will win in the end!