One of my favorite passages in the Old Testament is Isaiah chapter 53. In 12 short verses the prophet lays out much of the life of Jesus, some six centuries before Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

It’s been over 30 years since I read that chapter in the original Hebrew (and probably 25 since I could remember how to read the Hebrew). But something about the first verse of this chapter, “Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” makes me think that if Isaiah were to write it today, in English, he might have put it, “None one is going to believe this, but…”

That God Himself should take on the form of mortality, live as one of us, walk among us and then suffer and die in our stead is mind boggling. That He should choose a form that was so plain as to not attract attention is certainly not how many would write the story. And yet, that’s exactly how God wrote it. It is perfect in its unlikelihood and its amazing, miraculous balance of justice and mercy.

This chapter is often read during the Christmas season and is counted among the many passages in the Old Testament which foretell the coming of Messiah. In this week after Easter I think it is also quite appropriate that we focus on it. I’ll be sharing verses from this chapter all week during prayer time, every weekday at around 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM.

• Mon 4/17      Isaiah 53:1-2 
• Tue 4/18       Isaiah 53:3-5 
• Wed 4/19      Isaiah 53:6-7 
• Thu 4/20       Isaiah 53:8-9 
• Fri 4/21         Isaiah 53:10-12 

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