Wednesday, 12 April 2017 East Ridge Pres

Isaiah 50:5-6
The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.

Jesus listened to the word of the Father and obeyed him and did not turn backward.
He obeyed even when he was struck and abused.
Even when he was mocked and disgraced.
Because it was God’s will. Because in God’s love for us, he commanded Jesus to suffer for us. And Jesus heard and obeyed. By his obedience, not your own, you are saved.

vv 7-8 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.

Jesus faced adversaries and set his face like flint,
because he knew that the Lord God helped him.
He knew he would not be disgraced, he would not be put to shame.
He knew the one who vindicated was NEAR.
The Father would raised him from the tomb.

Let us live like our Lord. Let us follow in his footsteps. Let us set our faces like flint and live among enemies and staying on the path.

v 10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

Let us walk by faith in the darkness. Trusting God.
Let us obey the voice of God’s servant, Jesus Christ.

v 4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.
Jesus knows how to sustain with a word the one who is weary. Are you weary?
Jesus, by his cross, sustains the weary.
Does Jesus speak to you?
Listen to him in Moses, in the prophets, in the psalms, in the gospels, in the epistles. Listen to him speak.