Suffering Servant Song IV-Part 4-No Complaints

"He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7-9) [Read Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12]

In this portion of the Suffering Servant Song, we see the Messiah during His death being the sacrificial lamb, without spot or blemish, and completely without complaints despite the cruel and inhumane treatment. Again, it is amazing that Isaiah had the foresight to prophesy about what happened to the Messiah hundreds of years before the fact; and I mention again-to tell of it in the past tense, "prophetic tense," an accomplished fact. This can only be explained by Isaiah's being guided by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus did not suffer mildly. His death was vile. He suffered without rebuttal and defense. We live on this side of the Messiah's sacrifice. Reading of the accounts of his arrest, trial, condemnation and death, we see how accurate and full of truth Isaiah's prophesy is. The question about "his generation" not giving much thought to what was happening was certainly true. Then, only the inner circle, the disciples and a few followers, could really know the impact of Christ's coming and His death, events that split history into B.C. and A. D. (Before Christ and Anno Domini-the year of our Lord). His death was with wicked criminals and his burial was in a borrowed tomb of a rich man, Joseph of Arimathaea.

"Although he had done no violence and there was no deceit in his mouth" Jesus suffered death for you and for me. Reread the verses again and thank God for His sacrifice. All the gratitude we are able to muster will not be enough to thank Him. But we can begin with praise and continue with a life of dedication and service.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, September 27, 2010