Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

HATED

We have heard and read this prophecy concerning the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  We quote and reflect on the words every Easter.  But do we really understand the words?  Have you ever known anyone who had done nothing wrong who was hated like Jesus?  Look at the words – despised, forsaken, sorrow, grief, hide their face, did not esteem.  That’s pretty low.

Guess what?  He would do it all again.  He would take all that on Himself again, just for you.  Isaiah wrote these words long before Christ was born, but he believed them.  He spoke truth to a lost world who would not see the Messiah for generations to come.  But it was still truth.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to know that sometimes things don’t happen quickly.  Sometimes we have to wait a while.  Christ did what He did for them.  They may not see the result of all His works until later, but they will.  They may not see feel His power every day, but it is still there.

When your little Johnnie or Susie comes home saying that Bubba or Mildred hates them, pull out this verse.  Remind them, in comparison to the hate Christ felt, that is nothing.  It’s still real, and it still stings, but it pales in comparison.

Let me ask you a question.  Would you die for someone who hates you?  I bet not.  Would you give your life for a crowd of people who spit on you?  Probably not, but we should be willing to.  Just like Christ, we should lay down our life for others.  Who do you need to die for today?

O God, there is no way I can die for someone else without You living in and through me.  I just don’t have it in me.  My flesh is too strong.  But You can do it through me.