Pictured: a crown of thorns made from Greenberg vine. Most obvious lesson learned? In spite of hundreds of paintings to the contrary, said crown must be green. Dried, brown vines cannot be twisted into a crown without breaking.
Do you recognize the subject of these verses from Isaiah?
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (61:1-2).
“The Lord named me while I was in my mother’s womb (49:1) … He formed me from the womb to be His servant (49:5) … I gave my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who tore out my beard. I did not hide my face from scorn and spitting (49:6) … I am the One who comforts you” (51:12).
“His appearance was disfigured more than any man. He did not look human (52:14) … He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering, acquainted with grief. He was like one from whom men turn away. He was despised and rejected, and we considered him stricken, an outcast. But he was carrying our sickness, bearing our griefs. He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. The punishment to justify us was given to him, and by his wounds we are healed. He was afflicted, but like a lamb to the slaughter, he did not open his mouth. They made his grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man in his death, though he had done no wrong. Yet it pleased the Lord to crush him because the righteous servant will justify many” (53:3-11).
I bet you know—these verses speak of Jesus. But they are from the book of Isaiah.
These prophecies were penned 700 years BEFORE Jesus was born!
And yet, they describe him so specifically. His wounds: his back, his cheeks, the spitting, the disfigurement, the suffering so horrible, no one can look at it, pierced by nails and a sword, his silence, his death among thieves, his burial in a rich man’s tomb, and more.
God has a plan—and God will accomplish His plan. As He did in the life of Christ, so He will do in your life. He knows your future, and you can trust Him with EVERY SINGLE DAY.
ΑΩ