WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:06.360 Welcome again, good morning, especially good morning and welcome to our missional justice partners and all our guests. 00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:11.400 My name is Oscar, if you don't know me, and I serve as one of the elders here at Watermark. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:15.220 Please join me in prayer as we dive into God's Word. 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:23.879 Father, we humbly come before you as we look at this incredible passage from Isaiah. 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:30.799 I pray, Lord, that our hearts and minds will be open to receive your Word today. 00:00:31.259 --> 00:00:39.140 Thank you for your Word, which is real and true and powerful, that penetrates deep into every facet of our body, our heart, and our mind. 00:00:40.120 --> 00:00:49.960 I pray, Lord, that as we consider your Word today, that we would see the beauty of the suffering of Jesus and the beauty of his glorious resurrection. 00:00:50.500 --> 00:00:52.539 Be with us, Lord, in this time. 00:00:52.539 --> 00:00:54.519 In your name we pray. Amen. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:01:03.479 I'm going to invite Jaya in a moment to read the Scripture, but before then, a question. 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:08.359 The question is, how do you know that someone loves you? 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:14.759 Once in a while, I'll ask one of my kids, I'll be a bit cheeky, and I'll ask one of them, 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:16.659 how do you know that Daddy loves you? 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:21.539 And usually, their response is, because you make me cheeseburgers. 00:01:22.540 --> 00:01:24.820 Or, because you read me bedtime stories. 00:01:26.100 --> 00:01:28.660 How do you know that Jesus loves you? 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:30.880 I mean, we all know that he loves us. 00:01:30.960 --> 00:01:33.020 We read it in the Bible all the time. 00:01:33.240 --> 00:01:36.940 But how do you know that he loves you personally? 00:01:37.600 --> 00:01:39.580 How do you experience his love? 00:01:40.600 --> 00:01:43.360 Are you secure in his love? 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:47.079 Let's park that thought for a moment. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:52.459 Over the past two weeks, we've been going through an Easter sermon series, 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:58.459 looking at Old Testament Scriptures and how they point to or foreshadow the cross of Jesus. 00:01:58.459 --> 00:02:08.599 Two weeks ago, Kevin shared from Exodus 32 to 34, where, after being rescued by God from slavery in Egypt, 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:13.799 the people of Israel sinned terribly against God by worshipping an idol made out of gold. 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:19.159 And Kevin, he addressed this seeming paradox, which was, 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:24.879 How can a holy God who absolutely cannot stand sin somehow forgive sinners? 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:31.199 And we learn that God indeed pardoned Israel because of one man, Moses, 00:02:31.579 --> 00:02:34.439 who stood in the gap between God and man. 00:02:35.020 --> 00:02:39.979 Because of the righteousness and the goodness of this man, Moses, God pardoned Israel. 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:44.219 This is a picture of the gospel, is it not? 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:49.539 But Jesus is our perfect mediator, who, on the cross, stood in the gap. 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:55.699 And all of us who love and trust him, God will pardon us and forgive us as well. 00:02:57.259 --> 00:03:01.319 Last week, Niels continued on our series, and he opened up Leviticus 16, 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:05.659 where God gave Moses specific instructions on the Day of Atonement, 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:09.960 where one day a year, the people of Israel, through the high priest, 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:15.719 would conduct a complicated but necessary animal sacrifice to appease the wrath of God. 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:22.000 But as Niels shared, we learned that this sacrifice of bulls and goats, 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:25.939 although it would appease God's wrath for a year, it wasn't enough. 00:03:27.100 --> 00:03:30.840 For us here today, through that animal sacrifice thousands of years ago, 00:03:30.920 --> 00:03:34.900 we still could not see God or know God or be with him. 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:36.560 We need something more. 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:43.879 And today, I'm excited, because we're looking at this incredible passage in Isaiah, 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:51.920 which is the picture, which is a picture of the perfect and permanent Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:59.199 God sent his Son into the world, our Lord Jesus, to be the true mediator and the true sacrifice. 00:04:00.379 --> 00:04:06.480 Now, by way of background, the prophet Isaiah's ministry was primarily to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:14.740 Recall that in about 900 BC, Israel was split between the northern kingdom called Israel and the southern kingdom called Judah. 00:04:15.259 --> 00:04:18.000 And Isaiah's ministry began about 200 years later. 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:25.560 And throughout his book, Isaiah warns Judah to repent from sin or otherwise face the wrath of God. 00:04:26.399 --> 00:04:31.300 Isaiah also gives Judah hope that God would deliver her from her enemies. 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:40.740 And he also provides his promise that God would bring a servant Savior who would rescue God's people. 00:04:42.660 --> 00:04:50.259 Chapter 7 of Isaiah, he would be born of a virgin and be called Emmanuel or God with us. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:53.519 Chapter 11, he would come from the root of Jesse. 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:55.779 He would be a descendant of King David. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:05:01.699 And chapter 9, he would sit on David's throne, ruling with justice and righteousness. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:03.680 These are all pictures of Jesus. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:14.519 And today, today's passage paints this very, very detailed picture of this servant Savior who would be despised and rejected by man. 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:17.420 He would face unspeakable suffering. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:29.400 In fact, nowhere in the Old Testament is the suffering of Jesus depicted at such length and in such graphic detail as in this passage from Isaiah 52 and 53. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:33.259 It's incredibly sobering to read and we'll hear in just a moment. 00:05:34.280 --> 00:05:39.480 But what we'll also see today, I hope, is that the servant's suffering will lead to his glory. 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:43.460 And the glory for all of us who love and trust him. 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:47.299 Can I invite Jaya to lead us in the passage today? 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:53.539 Good morning, church. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:57.299 Our scripture this morning comes from Isaiah 52 and 53. 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:01.079 Feel free to follow along in your bulletin or on the screen behind me. 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:04.560 Starting in Isaiah 52, 13, we read, 00:06:05.679 --> 00:06:08.620 Behold, my servant shall act wisely. 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:12.519 He shall be high and lifted up and shall be exalted. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:22.859 As many were astonished at you, his appearance was so marred beyond human semblance and is formed beyond that of the children of mankind, 00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:25.799 so shall he sprinkle many nations. 00:06:26.979 --> 00:06:29.539 Kings shall shut their mouths because of him. 00:06:30.199 --> 00:06:32.579 For that which has not been told them, they see. 00:06:33.179 --> 00:06:35.439 And that which they have not heard, they understand. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:39.740 Who has believed what he has heard from us? 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:42.879 And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 00:06:44.019 --> 00:06:49.160 For he grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:55.879 He had no form or majesty that we should look at him and no beauty that we should desire him. 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:59.879 He was despised and rejected by men. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:03.740 A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:10.659 And as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised and we esteemed him not. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:16.300 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:20.839 Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:24.879 But he was pierced for our transgressions. 00:07:25.179 --> 00:07:27.919 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:07:28.619 --> 00:07:31.799 Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 00:07:32.359 --> 00:07:34.439 And with his wounds, we are healed. 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:38.639 All we, like sheep, have gone astray. 00:07:39.359 --> 00:07:42.219 We have turned, everyone, to his own way. 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:46.199 And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:51.979 He was oppressed and he was afflicted. 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:53.959 Yet he opened not his mouth. 00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:56.279 Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter. 00:07:56.899 --> 00:07:59.480 Like a sheep that before its shearers is silent. 00:08:00.099 --> 00:08:01.620 So he opened not his mouth. 00:08:02.919 --> 00:08:05.599 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:07.459 And as for his generation, 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:11.620 who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:14.599 stricken for the transgression of my people? 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:17.820 And they made his grave with the wicked 00:08:17.820 --> 00:08:20.340 and with the rich man in his death. 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:23.080 Although he had done no violence 00:08:23.080 --> 00:08:25.360 and there was no deceit in his mouth. 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:29.879 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him. 00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:32.139 He has put him to grief. 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:34.620 When his soul makes an offering for guilt, 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:36.279 he shall see his offspring. 00:08:36.920 --> 00:08:38.399 He shall prolong his days. 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.960 The will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:44.900 Out of the anguish of his soul, 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:46.780 he shall see and be satisfied. 00:08:47.780 --> 00:08:49.519 By his knowledge shall the righteous one, 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:50.440 my servants, 00:08:50.820 --> 00:08:52.500 make many to be accounted righteous. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:54.900 And he shall bear their iniquities. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:59.100 Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the many. 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:01.780 And he shall divide the spoil with the strong. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:04.259 Because he poured out his soul to death 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:06.460 and was numbered with the transgressors. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:08.420 Yet he bore the sin of many 00:09:08.419 --> 00:09:11.199 and makes intercession for the transgressors. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:12.599 This is the word of the Lord. 00:09:15.699 --> 00:09:16.279 Thanks, Jaya. 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:17.539 Oh, sorry. 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:20.699 My lovely wife told me that my mic was too far from my mouth. 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:21.439 So I moved it closer. 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:22.399 Can you guys hear me okay now? 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:24.519 All right. 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:26.759 Let's start. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:30.240 Let's start in Isaiah chapter 53, verse 2. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:43.960 A root out of dry ground. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:45.720 That phrase seems to refer to 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:47.419 the relatively obscure place 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:48.940 of the Lord Jesus' upbringing 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:50.680 in the north, in Nazareth. 00:09:51.299 --> 00:09:53.100 Nazareth was about 100 kilometers 00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:55.340 from Jerusalem, the capital. 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:58.040 And it was a dry desert 00:09:58.040 --> 00:10:00.540 where nothing good was ever really expected to emerge. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.500 And Jesus himself, 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:04.440 there was nothing noteworthy 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:05.720 about his family background 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:07.500 or his parents. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.180 Mary and Joseph. 00:10:10.180 --> 00:10:12.300 He wasn't born to a rich or prominent family. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:14.460 His parents weren't part of the religious elite. 00:10:16.040 --> 00:10:18.320 He wasn't naturally handsome or attractive. 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:20.740 When we think of the physical qualities 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:21.780 of an attractive person, 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:25.439 we think of a celebrity or an athlete, 00:10:25.699 --> 00:10:27.779 someone who was tall or strong, 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.459 handsome or pretty. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.839 He had none of these things. 00:10:32.839 --> 00:10:34.600 In fact, he had no beauty 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:36.419 that we should desire him. 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:40.000 And so although Jesus is called 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:42.199 the radiance of the glory of God 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:44.579 and the exact imprint of his nature, 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:46.039 Hebrews chapter 1, 00:10:46.459 --> 00:10:48.819 he had no beauty that we should desire him. 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:52.000 Jesus, God in flesh, 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.480 God incarnate, 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:55.520 God who waited thousands of years 00:10:55.520 --> 00:10:56.700 to be born into the world. 00:10:56.760 --> 00:10:57.420 And when he did, 00:10:57.820 --> 00:11:00.400 he was entirely unremarkable. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:02.160 If we saw him on the street, 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.260 we wouldn't turn to look at him twice. 00:11:05.400 --> 00:11:06.820 In fact, we do the opposite. 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.940 He was a man of sorrows 00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:12.020 and acquainted with grief 00:11:12.020 --> 00:11:15.080 and also one from whom men hide their faces. 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:17.080 He was despised 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:19.220 and we esteemed him not. 00:11:20.920 --> 00:11:22.600 He was called a man of sorrows. 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:24.120 What a sobering description 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:26.080 of someone, is it not? 00:11:26.520 --> 00:11:28.220 But such an accurate one. 00:11:28.920 --> 00:11:30.139 Everything about his life 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:32.420 speaks to the burden that he carried. 00:11:34.020 --> 00:11:37.100 He was born in a small, insignificant town. 00:11:37.660 --> 00:11:38.540 He grew up poor. 00:11:39.420 --> 00:11:40.920 His own people rejected him. 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:42.259 His disciple, Peter, 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.480 denied him. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:44.519 His other disciple, 00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:46.200 Judas Iscariot, 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:47.620 betrayed him. 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:49.200 The religious leaders 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.740 persecuted him. 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:53.039 He had no place to settle 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.659 or call home. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.019 Our Lord Jesus, this is him. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:57.980 His cousin John the Baptist 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:58.740 was executed. 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:00.100 His dear friend Lazarus 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:01.399 passed away. 00:12:02.300 --> 00:12:03.120 The Bible never says 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.840 that Jesus laughed, 00:12:03.920 --> 00:12:04.759 but we often read 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.659 that he wept. 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.779 But perhaps, 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:09.539 more than any other reason, 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:10.680 Jesus was called 00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:12.080 a man of sorrows 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:13.080 because he always knew 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:13.800 in his heart 00:12:13.800 --> 00:12:14.940 that he was born 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:17.160 to suffer and die. 00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:19.379 He was born to be both 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:20.460 the mediator, 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.740 standing in the gap 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:24.240 on behalf of man to God, 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:26.660 and the sacrifice, 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.800 the true mediator 00:12:27.800 --> 00:12:29.400 and the true sacrifice. 00:12:30.540 --> 00:12:31.340 Only one person 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:32.000 who has ever lived 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:34.300 has known the exact time 00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:35.360 and the circumstance 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:37.080 of how he would die. 00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:39.720 What a burden to carry. 00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:42.200 And so, dear friends, 00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:44.000 what this means for us today 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:44.860 is that although life 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.420 is uncertain, 00:12:45.900 --> 00:12:46.960 and we're all going to face 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:49.080 some sort of hardship, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:50.940 Jesus has experienced 00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:52.420 all of the messiness 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:53.520 and all the ugliness 00:12:53.520 --> 00:12:54.820 that we'll ever experience. 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:57.280 Your best friend 00:12:57.280 --> 00:12:58.940 stabbed you in the back. 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.620 Jesus has been there. 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.840 Someone has broken your heart. 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.840 Jesus has been there. 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:07.460 Someone you love is sick. 00:13:08.160 --> 00:13:09.759 Jesus has been there. 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:11.920 He's been there, 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.440 and he doesn't just understand 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:15.080 or empathize, 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:17.100 but he has borne our griefs 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:19.320 and carried our sorrows. 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:21.220 He takes our sorrows 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:22.500 upon himself. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.800 All the pain 00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:24.620 that we experience 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.680 from broken relationships, 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:27.100 all the suffering 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:28.080 we experience 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:29.600 from abuse, 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.580 all the stress 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:31.740 of having to perform, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.400 all of it, 00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:34.480 he takes it upon himself. 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:35.740 He made himself 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:37.200 humble and lowly 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.060 in order to carry 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:40.340 this burden for us. 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.660 He doesn't just cry with us. 00:13:43.160 --> 00:13:43.860 His tears mean 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:44.580 that our sorrow 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.320 can turn to joy. 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:48.920 Jesus said, 00:13:49.160 --> 00:13:49.480 come to me, 00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:50.300 all who labor 00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:51.540 and are heavy laden, 00:13:51.800 --> 00:13:53.100 and I will give you rest. 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.960 Take my yoke upon you 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:56.200 and learn from me, 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.340 for I am gentle 00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.500 and lowly in heart, 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.139 and you will find rest 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:01.340 for your souls. 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:02.879 For my yoke is easy 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.920 and my burden 00:14:04.920 --> 00:14:05.920 is light. 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.620 Matthew chapter 11. 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:09.160 Jesus, 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:09.899 the man of sorrows. 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:13.320 So we've just seen 00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:14.780 how Jesus suffered 00:14:14.780 --> 00:14:15.399 in life, 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.840 but even more, 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:17.840 he suffered 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.899 in death. 00:14:20.060 --> 00:14:20.740 Let's look at 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.259 52 verse 14. 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.700 As many were astonished 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.120 at you, 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:25.980 his appearance 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.840 was so marred 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:28.240 beyond human semblance 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:28.940 and his form 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:29.560 beyond that 00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:30.419 of the children 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.299 of mankind. 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:33.240 Perhaps when we 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:35.340 think about Jesus 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.000 and his suffering, 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:36.919 our mind goes right 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:37.639 to the cross. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.440 The nails that pierced 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:40.080 his wrists 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:41.139 and his feet, 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:42.100 the thorns 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:42.879 that were gnawing 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.659 at his head. 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:45.000 Jesus, 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:47.399 hanging there naked, 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.539 battered and bruised, 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.440 alone and abandoned. 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:53.899 A brutal and horrible 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:54.460 depiction, 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.299 the crucifixion of Christ. 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:58.419 But his suffering 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.620 began well before 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.379 the cross, 00:15:01.099 --> 00:15:02.039 as his passage 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:03.059 in Isaiah 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:04.319 shows us. 00:15:05.359 --> 00:15:06.059 Jesus suffered 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:07.199 in the Garden of Gethsemane 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:08.039 where he was 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:08.979 in such anguish 00:15:08.979 --> 00:15:10.299 and in utter exhaustion. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.319 Imagine the emotional 00:15:12.319 --> 00:15:14.079 stress and anxiety 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:14.679 he was under 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.279 in anticipation 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:16.419 of the cross. 00:15:17.719 --> 00:15:18.879 I remember when I was a kid, 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:19.879 I took piano exams 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.199 and I remember sitting 00:15:21.199 --> 00:15:21.799 in the waiting room 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.719 waiting for my exam. 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:24.419 I still had PTSD 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:25.339 thinking about 00:15:25.339 --> 00:15:26.019 that waiting room. 00:15:26.839 --> 00:15:27.719 The waiting was worse 00:15:27.719 --> 00:15:28.559 than the actual exam. 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:30.939 But imagine Jesus 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:32.059 in the garden 00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:34.199 visualizing the road 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:34.759 to the cross 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:35.479 and the suffering 00:15:35.479 --> 00:15:37.199 that he would endure. 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:40.819 After he was arrested, 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.479 he was brought in front 00:15:42.479 --> 00:15:44.000 of the Jewish authorities 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.459 who mocked Jesus 00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:47.299 and beat him. 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.419 They put a blindfold 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:49.740 over Jesus' eyes 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.859 and they would beat him 00:15:50.859 --> 00:15:51.439 and say, 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:52.139 tell us, tell us, 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:52.539 prophesy, 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.639 tell us who is beating you. 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:57.360 And after the Jewish authorities 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.819 passed Jesus over 00:15:58.819 --> 00:15:59.939 to the Roman authorities, 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:00.919 the Romans 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.399 also mocked him 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.480 by putting a purple robe 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.460 on Jesus 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:07.659 and gave him a staff 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:09.439 as a pretend king scepter. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.500 The Romans then grabbed 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.100 that staff 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:13.720 out of Jesus' hands 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.519 and they beat him 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.699 over the head with it. 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:19.379 But perhaps the worst 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.020 physical torture 00:16:21.020 --> 00:16:22.460 or physical suffering 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.480 that he experienced 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.540 before the cross 00:16:24.540 --> 00:16:25.860 was the scourging. 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:28.560 In verse 5 of 53, 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.980 we read, 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:32.200 upon him was the chastisement 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:33.139 that brought us peace 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:34.320 and with his wounds 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:35.300 we are healed. 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.879 Some Bible versions say 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.740 by his stripes 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.820 we are healed 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:43.139 or by his scourging 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:44.259 we are healed. 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:45.580 The New Testament 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.659 describes 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.720 the scourging 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.659 of Jesus. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.279 And Bible commentators 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.800 define scourging 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:54.340 as a Roman judicial penalty 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:56.360 consisting of a severe beating 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:57.659 with a multi-lash whip 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:59.179 containing embedded pieces 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:01.079 of bone and metal. 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.799 Picture right here. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.879 So perhaps this 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:06.519 is why Isaiah writes, 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.420 his appearance 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.319 was so marred 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.859 beyond human semblance 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.139 and his form 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.759 beyond that 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.639 of the children 00:17:12.639 --> 00:17:13.779 of mankind. 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.619 Our Lord was beaten 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:18.879 and flogged so badly 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:20.440 that he was unrecognizable 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.799 when the Romans 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.159 were done with him. 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.480 Those who witnessed 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.980 this horrific punishment, 00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:27.019 they were astonished, 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:28.180 they were appalled, 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.400 they were horrified 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.740 at the appearance 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.519 of Jesus. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.759 And this was all 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.420 before Jesus 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.599 carried the cross 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:37.400 and then he went up 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:39.059 to his own crucifixion. 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.799 After the Romans 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.420 had fastened 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.440 that crown of thorns 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.379 on his head, 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.559 Jesus somehow 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.579 stumbled up 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.700 to Golgotha 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.720 where he was nailed to 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.720 and hung on a cross 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:50.680 for perhaps 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.720 three to six hours. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:55.039 and in the last moments 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.819 before his death, 00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:57.079 he prayed, 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.259 Father, 00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.360 Father, 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:01.819 why have you forsaken me? 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.700 For on the cross, 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.059 Father God 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.240 did not just simply 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:08.100 turn his back on Jesus 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:09.339 and abandon him. 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.660 Father God 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.559 wasn't passive. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:12.700 It's not as if 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.600 his hands were tied 00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.640 and he could not help 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.620 but let the Roman authorities 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.980 do unspeakable evils 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.059 to his son. 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:21.500 Isaiah tells us 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:23.740 it was Father God's will 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.700 and intent 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.759 to crush 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:27.379 his own son, 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:27.759 Jesus. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.460 Jesus was smitten 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.179 by God 00:18:30.179 --> 00:18:31.119 and afflicted 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.980 as the Lord 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.779 has laid on him 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.559 the iniquity 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.720 of us all. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.079 Father God 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:38.339 intentionally put our sin 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.759 on Jesus 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.899 on the cross 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:42.399 and watched 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:43.679 both our sin 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:44.579 and Jesus 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.480 perish. 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:47.960 But shouldn't that 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.420 be us 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.660 on the cross 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:51.660 to experience 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:52.220 and receive 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.700 the wrath 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.539 of God? 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:54.900 But instead, 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:56.539 Jesus was made 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.000 an enemy 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.620 of his own 00:18:57.620 --> 00:18:58.319 Father 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.720 for our sake. 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.360 Do we understand this? 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:03.960 In the Watermark 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:04.680 Bible reading plan 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.160 this year, 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.660 we looked at 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.360 the account 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:07.960 in Genesis 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:09.079 of God 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.920 instructing Abraham 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.880 to sacrifice 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:11.980 his own son Isaac. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:13.680 Abraham, 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:15.960 he agreed 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.720 to do what God 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.440 instructed him to do. 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:18.960 And so he tied 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.539 a bunch of wood 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.880 on Isaac's back 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:21.319 and as they 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.700 climb Mount 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.720 Moriah, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.640 Isaac, 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:26.059 understandably confused, 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:27.000 he turns to his father 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.360 and he says, 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:27.660 Father, 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.700 where is the lamb 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.059 for the burnt offering? 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.000 Can you imagine 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.620 being Abraham 00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:35.319 in that moment 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.539 having to 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.860 respond to your son? 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.640 About to sacrifice 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.380 your own son? 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.840 The son he loves, 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.100 his beloved son, 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:45.660 the son he waited 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.460 a hundred years 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:46.940 to have, 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.900 his promised son? 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.840 Can you imagine? 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:51.960 And so when we 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.440 think about Abraham 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:55.100 potentially sacrificing 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:55.900 his own son, 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:57.160 perhaps, 00:19:57.600 --> 00:19:58.480 perhaps we have 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:58.920 a glimpse 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:00.000 of the heart 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.039 of God the Father 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:02.860 when his own 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.840 terrible wrath 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:04.720 bore down 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.460 on his own son, 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.140 Jesus Christ, 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:07.259 who is perfect, 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:07.579 holy, 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.039 and righteous. 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:09.600 As Jesus said, 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:09.940 Father, 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:10.420 Father, 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.200 why have you 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.460 forsaken me? 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:16.720 So how do you know 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:18.180 that God loves you? 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:19.940 How do you know 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.360 the breadth 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:20.819 and the length 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.420 and the depth 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.680 of the love of God 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.120 to you? 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:24.900 Look at Jesus. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.440 Look at the cross. 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.880 But now the question is, 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.660 why did Jesus 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.279 have to suffer 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.120 so terribly? 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.380 I mean, 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.200 we learned last week 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.980 from Leviticus 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.660 that the people of Israel 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.660 needed to sacrifice 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.340 an animal 00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:37.980 in order to atone 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.180 for their sins. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.019 And this, 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:40.440 of course, 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.600 foreshadowed Jesus 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.339 being the true 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.859 and permanent sacrifice 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.879 as his soul 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:45.619 makes an offering 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.519 for guilt. 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.659 But the animals 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:49.480 that were sacrificed 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.399 back in the day 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:50.859 of Moses, 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.879 they seemed to be 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.859 treated quite mercifully. 00:20:54.419 --> 00:20:55.539 The necessity of death 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.699 was illustrated, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.299 but not the suffering. 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:01.099 But here in this passage 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:02.199 in Isaiah, 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.279 Isaiah now adds 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:05.099 this very graphic detail 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.679 of the suffering 00:21:06.679 --> 00:21:07.240 of Jesus 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.959 leading up to 00:21:07.959 --> 00:21:08.919 the crucifixion 00:21:08.919 --> 00:21:10.459 and also on the cross. 00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:10.980 Why? 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.339 Why did Jesus 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.460 have to suffer 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.640 so terribly? 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.039 Well, 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.519 it's because 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.380 in his suffering 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:19.579 and in his death, 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:21.720 God wanted to show us 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:23.240 just how much 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.400 he loves us, 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.960 just how much 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.079 he hates sin. 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.920 All we like sheep 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:32.059 have gone astray. 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.500 We have turned 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.880 every one 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.680 to his own way. 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:36.920 And the Lord 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:38.160 has laid on him 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.120 the iniquity 00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:39.700 of us all. 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:41.279 In the Garden 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.740 of Eden, 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.200 we were supposed 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.400 to be living 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:44.860 in purity 00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:45.420 and righteousness 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.140 with God 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:46.940 as we were made 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.519 in his image. 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.240 But sin came 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.940 into our hearts 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.640 and our hearts 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:51.259 are now prone 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.380 to wander. 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:53.880 Our heart compass 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:55.519 is out of whack. 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.220 I mean, 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:57.960 my heart compass 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:59.220 is out of whack. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.259 I realized 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.940 something recently. 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:03.140 I have a portfolio 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:03.740 of investments, 00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:04.660 stocks and bonds. 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:05.740 And I realized 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.380 recently that I've 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:06.940 been checking 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.420 the prices 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.259 a bit too often. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.840 It's one of the 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.340 first things I do 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:10.920 when I wake up 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:12.080 and one of the 00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:12.500 last things I do 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.360 before I go to bed. 00:22:13.840 --> 00:22:14.559 And I think about 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.279 the prices 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:16.100 and my profits 00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:16.720 and my losses 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.660 throughout the day. 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.480 I do the mental math 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.820 on it. 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.920 And I'm not saying 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.320 that having investments 00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:21.980 is a sin. 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.759 Don't get me wrong. 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.320 But what I am saying 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:24.960 about myself 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.740 and what I have been 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.420 convicted about 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.680 is that I am adoring 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.440 my investments. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.160 I'm adoring 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.799 the profits 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:31.059 a bit too much. 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:31.720 I'm thinking about it 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.039 too much. 00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:32.620 I'm putting too much 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.120 heart share 00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:33.740 and mind share 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.900 into it. 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:38.000 My heart's prone 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.400 to wander. 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:38.940 I'm a sinner. 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.400 I had to repent. 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.880 Perhaps something 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.920 has caught your heart. 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.779 Maybe it's money. 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.880 Maybe it's a relationship. 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:50.980 Maybe it's food 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.600 or alcohol. 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.120 Maybe it's vanity. 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.100 All we like sheep 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:56.420 have gone astray. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.700 Everyone 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:59.340 each to his own way. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.400 But because of the 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.080 eternal holiness 00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:03.240 and perfection 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.960 sin is appalling 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.140 to God. 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.480 And the result 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.460 is that every single sin 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.860 must be accounted for 00:23:09.860 --> 00:23:11.539 and must be punished. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.860 So every lash 00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:15.420 on the body of Jesus 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:17.039 as he was scourged 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.400 every time he was beat 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.539 he was beaten 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.580 in his head 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:21.160 such that 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.819 no one could recognize 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.940 him afterwards. 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.000 All the blood 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.500 that spilled 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.720 from his body. 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:27.859 Every amount 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.440 of suffering 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.259 that he experienced 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:29.839 the nails 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.500 that cut deep 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.359 into his wrists 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.279 and feet 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.059 his blood 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.920 that was poured out 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.759 all of this 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.420 every aspect 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.140 of his punishment 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.920 accounts for 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.940 our sin 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:40.259 and deals with 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.559 our punishment. 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:45.019 And so how do you know 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:46.000 the depth 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.720 the length 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.680 the breadth 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.839 of the love of God 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.259 for you? 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.039 Look at the cross. 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:53.559 Greater love 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:54.019 is no one 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.599 than this 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.639 that someone 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:56.680 laid down his life 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:58.000 for his friends. 00:23:58.899 --> 00:24:00.000 John 15 13 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:02.659 So now 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:04.159 what does Isaiah 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:05.200 say happens 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.079 after Jesus' death? 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.859 He writes 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.920 in 53 verse 10 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.240 When his soul 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.899 makes an offering 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:12.440 for guilt 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.500 he shall see 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.099 his offspring 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:15.980 he shall prolong 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:17.059 his days 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.399 the will of the Lord 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.180 shall prosper 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.240 in his hand. 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:22.019 Isaiah wrote 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.099 that Jesus would die 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.880 for the sin of man 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.680 but be raised 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.279 to life 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.059 again 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.259 he shall prolong 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.839 his days 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:29.420 and so where 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:29.960 is Jesus 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.740 now? 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.859 Let's go back 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.740 to the very first 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:35.259 verse of this passage 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.339 from 52 13 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.480 Behold 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.400 my servant 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.359 shall act wisely 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.799 he shall be high 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.579 and lifted up 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.779 and shall be 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.299 exalted 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:46.559 our Lord 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.099 was raised 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.519 to life 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.120 and is now 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:48.700 exalted 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.460 into the highest 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.759 place in heaven 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.740 next to 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.440 Father God 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.880 for all time 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:55.759 Now this phrase 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.460 high and lifted up 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.720 was used by Isaiah 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.480 in chapter 6 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.400 when he was first 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:00.259 commissioned as a 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.000 prophet of God 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.779 Isaiah sees 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.200 this vision 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.920 I saw the Lord 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.880 sitting upon a throne 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:08.279 high and lifted up 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.519 and the train 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.200 of his robe 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:11.360 filled the temple 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:12.680 above him 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.579 stood the seraphim 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:15.140 each had six wings 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.319 with two he covered 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.960 his face 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.200 and with two he covered 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.660 his feet 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.580 and with two 00:25:19.580 --> 00:25:20.200 he flew 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.759 and one called 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.200 to another 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.640 and said 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.980 holy holy holy 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.660 is the Lord 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.299 of hosts 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:26.360 the whole earth 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.160 is full 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:28.440 of his glory 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.620 this 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:31.039 is where Jesus 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.440 is seated now 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.980 24-7 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:35.340 into eternity 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:36.580 the angels 00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:37.720 who are in his presence 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.779 cannot help 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.700 but adore 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.600 and praise 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:41.220 and glorify 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.380 the risen Jesus 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:44.000 and if we here 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.740 love and trust him 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.360 one day 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:47.380 we too 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.700 will join the angels 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.380 in his glorious 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:49.800 assembly 00:25:49.800 --> 00:25:51.700 but 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:53.620 now if Jesus 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.440 had suffered 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:55.900 and died on the cross 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:57.020 and remained buried 00:25:57.020 --> 00:25:58.240 in the grave 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.040 until today 00:25:59.040 --> 00:25:59.400 well 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.760 he would be remembered 00:26:00.760 --> 00:26:01.480 as one of the greatest 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.040 human beings 00:26:02.040 --> 00:26:02.640 that ever lived 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.880 no question about that 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:05.520 but if he remained buried 00:26:05.520 --> 00:26:05.980 in the grave 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.780 until today 00:26:06.780 --> 00:26:07.160 well 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:08.080 those of us 00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:08.840 that call us Christians 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:09.660 we would be in a 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.360 sorry state 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:12.059 Paul writes in 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:13.139 1 Corinthians 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:14.919 if Christ has not been raised 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:16.519 your faith is futile 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.500 and you are still 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.179 in your sins 00:26:18.179 --> 00:26:21.439 we would have no hope 00:26:21.439 --> 00:26:22.519 there would be no 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.259 glorious eternity 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.240 in heaven 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.079 there would be no power 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.579 of God 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.799 to transform us 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.519 today 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:30.539 but Jesus did indeed 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.279 rise 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.199 from the grave 00:26:32.199 --> 00:26:32.859 and the resurrection 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.500 is proof 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.959 that God is real 00:26:34.959 --> 00:26:36.079 and his hope 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:37.159 is true 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:38.919 it's 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.139 it's 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.700 the resurrection 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.100 is proof 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:41.420 that Jesus 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.220 is who the prophet 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.880 said he is 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:43.700 the world's 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.600 promised Messiah 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.700 and Savior 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:47.980 it confirms 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.259 God's promise 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.780 to us 00:26:49.780 --> 00:26:51.160 and Jesus 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.720 is 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.560 alive 00:26:52.560 --> 00:26:55.100 and so therefore 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:56.200 now the question is 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.480 what does the resurrection 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.140 mean 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.920 for us here today 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:01.340 here at Watermark 00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:03.040 well let's look 00:27:03.040 --> 00:27:03.540 let's look at these 00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:04.840 last few verses 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:06.080 from our passage today 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:08.480 from 53 verses 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:10.040 11 and 12 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:11.920 out of the anguish 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.500 of his soul 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.259 he shall see 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.200 and be satisfied 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.639 by his knowledge 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:16.379 shall the righteous 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.399 one my servant 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:18.539 make many to be 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.359 counted righteous 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.759 and he shall bear 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.559 their inequities 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:23.220 therefore I will 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.139 divide him a portion 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.639 with the many 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:25.779 and he shall divide 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.399 the spoil 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:27.440 with the strong 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:30.859 Christ's resurrection 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.480 means 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:33.500 for those of us 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.000 here today 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.519 who love and trust him 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.579 our standing 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:38.039 in front of the 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.819 holy God 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:40.359 is righteous 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.859 is perfect 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:43.680 and not only that 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.859 but we also have 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.359 the privilege 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.139 of partaking 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:47.779 in Christ's glory 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.879 as being a part 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.960 of his family 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:52.400 and of course 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.879 it's hard to grasp 00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.680 that day to day 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.559 but we have to remember 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.519 this week 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.259 because this week 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.900 we're going to go back 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.720 to work or school 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.660 or families 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.119 or wherever 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.660 and we're going to get 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.839 bombarded by the religion 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.459 of this world 00:28:02.459 --> 00:28:04.919 someone is going to 00:28:04.919 --> 00:28:05.579 annoy us 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.539 and frustrate us 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:09.079 as Irene pray 00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:09.720 we're going to be 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.099 grumbling 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:11.480 sometime this week 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:13.559 we have to go back 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:15.519 to what we learned today 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:17.639 and so this week 00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:18.500 when all these things 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.459 happen to us 00:28:19.459 --> 00:28:20.519 let us refocus 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.799 our hearts 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.119 and our minds 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.259 on the risen Christ 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.939 and remember the implications 00:28:25.939 --> 00:28:27.399 of his resurrection 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:29.639 I'll mention just 00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:31.079 four implications 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:33.419 number one 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:35.240 our righteous standing 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.480 is confirmed 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:38.179 the death 00:28:38.179 --> 00:28:39.199 and the resurrection 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:39.960 of Jesus 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:41.359 means that our sin 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.220 isn't just forgiven 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.619 and accounted for 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:45.059 it's been wiped 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.879 it's been buried 00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:47.500 into the deepest ocean 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.299 it has been put 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.359 as far as the east 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.659 is from the west 00:28:50.659 --> 00:28:51.599 it's been erased 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:53.039 from all hard drives 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.859 and backup servers 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:56.379 we are justified 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:58.259 in front of the holy God 00:28:58.259 --> 00:29:00.679 his resurrection means 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:02.299 that instead of guilt 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.299 and shame 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.380 we are righteous 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.759 and pure 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.500 in the eyes of God 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:08.480 number two 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.480 we are part 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.740 of God's family 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:12.480 but we aren't merely 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:12.980 forgiven 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:14.100 and justified 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:15.440 incredibly 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:17.160 we are also part 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.380 of God's family 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:20.500 we are like the orphan 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.100 who steals 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:22.560 the king's crown jewels 00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:24.580 but instead of a prison sentence 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:25.940 the king adopts us 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.680 into his own family 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:29.340 we live in his palace 00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:30.799 we dine at his table 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:32.120 and our new title 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:33.340 is now prince 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:34.420 or princess 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:36.920 and so when 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:38.259 earthy relationships 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.680 let us down 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:41.779 we can be comforted 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:43.080 and run into the arms 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:44.259 of our loving father 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.700 in heaven 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:47.299 and three 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:49.220 death has been defeated 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:51.420 Jesus did come back 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.920 from the dead 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:53.380 an unbelievable event 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:54.240 that has never happened 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.200 in the history 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.279 of the world 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:58.519 Jesus went face to face 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.000 head on 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.559 with the thing 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.539 that we cannot defeat 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.940 death 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:02.220 and he defeated death 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.180 and what that means 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.660 for us 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.600 is that for all of us 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:05.779 who love and trust Jesus 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.620 he has defeated death 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:08.380 for us as well 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:11.100 and so all the ways 00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:12.120 that we face suffering 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:13.259 and hardship 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.360 we have hope 00:30:14.360 --> 00:30:15.080 that one day 00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:15.799 all pain 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.840 and anxiety 00:30:16.840 --> 00:30:18.600 all the depravity 00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:19.380 of our own heart 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:20.840 all the ugliness 00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:22.559 of the world politics 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.420 and the horrors 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.100 of war 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:24.660 all of that 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.800 will be gone 00:30:25.800 --> 00:30:26.920 and will be replaced 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:29.700 with being face to face 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.240 with Jesus 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:32.200 in person 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:34.420 for all time 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:36.279 death 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.640 has been defeated 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:39.500 and fourth 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.200 and final 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:42.240 the power of God 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.620 is at work 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.680 within us 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.880 the resurrection 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:47.039 means that we are forgiven 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.660 we are justified 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:49.180 and part of God's 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.060 eternal family 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:52.619 but it also means 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.460 that even today 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.980 through prayer 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.819 and the power 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.700 of God's spirit 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.899 we have access 00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:59.460 to the same power 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.359 which raised Christ 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.419 from the dead 00:31:01.419 --> 00:31:03.579 Paul prays this 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.379 in Ephesians 00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:06.119 that you may know 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.940 what is the immeasurable 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.480 greatness 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.559 of his power 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.819 toward us who believe 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:11.279 according to the works 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.200 of his great might 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:13.539 that he worked in Christ 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.319 when he raised him 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:14.899 from the dead 00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.799 and seated him 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.599 at the right hand 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:18.200 in the heavenly places 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:20.220 today the Holy Spirit 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:22.400 is transforming us 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:24.120 Christ followers 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.680 are becoming 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:27.259 a little less selfish 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.400 a little more generous 00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.700 we are becoming 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.700 a little less anxious 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:32.740 a little more content 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:34.700 dying to ourselves 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.940 bit by bit 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:37.019 a little more everyday 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.840 becoming more 00:31:37.840 --> 00:31:38.940 like Christ 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.759 through the power of God 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.480 the same power 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.640 which raised Christ 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.480 from the dead 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:47.240 and let me close now 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.799 by looking at the book 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.220 of Acts 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.940 chapter 8 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:52.099 in this chapter 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.500 Philip 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.099 one of the early 00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:53.759 Christian leaders 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:55.620 he meets this 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.799 Ethiopian court official 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.640 who is on his way 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:59.599 back from Jerusalem 00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:02.579 and Philip overhears 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:04.559 this court official 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:07.240 reading from Isaiah 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.740 and he asks him 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.740 do you understand 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.480 what you are reading 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:12.319 to which the official 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.220 responds and says 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.319 how can I 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:15.319 unless somebody 00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:16.200 guides me 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.960 and what was 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.539 the Ethiopian 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.120 court official 00:32:19.120 --> 00:32:19.500 reading 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:21.720 like a sheep 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.920 he was led 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.480 to the slaughter 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.840 and like a lamb 00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:25.700 before its shearer 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:26.240 is silent 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.680 so he opens 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.660 not his mouth 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:30.480 in his humiliation 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.059 justice 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:32.200 was denied him 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:33.319 who can describe 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:33.960 the generation 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:35.420 for his life 00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:36.120 is taken away 00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.759 from the earth 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:38.180 he was reading 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:38.759 from Isaiah 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.960 53 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:43.539 the court official 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.319 then asks Philip 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.419 about whom I ask you 00:32:45.419 --> 00:32:46.000 does the prophet 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.559 say this 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.220 about him 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.099 or about 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:49.079 someone else 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.139 and of course 00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:51.899 Philip reveals 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:53.079 to the court official 00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:53.779 that Isaiah 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.200 is speaking 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:55.200 about Jesus Christ 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.740 the promised Messiah 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.419 the savior 00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:58.539 of the world 00:32:58.539 --> 00:33:01.179 and shortly thereafter 00:33:01.179 --> 00:33:02.319 as the two men 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:03.299 pass by 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.220 a body of water 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:05.599 the Ethiopian 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.139 court official 00:33:06.139 --> 00:33:07.220 asks Philip 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.960 to baptize him 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.659 what's happening here 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:12.560 the official 00:33:12.560 --> 00:33:13.120 he hears 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:13.740 God's word 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.600 from Isaiah 00:33:14.600 --> 00:33:16.440 as we have 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.000 been today 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:18.620 he receives it 00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:20.060 deep into his heart 00:33:20.060 --> 00:33:21.220 and he responds 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.700 by moving towards 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.140 Jesus 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:24.720 and his gospel 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:27.100 and so today 00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:29.000 as Isaiah 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.820 reminds us 00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:30.200 here 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.300 at Watermark 00:33:31.300 --> 00:33:32.019 that Jesus 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.779 the man of sorrows 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:35.340 Jesus is 00:33:35.340 --> 00:33:36.180 the suffering servant 00:33:36.180 --> 00:33:36.600 Jesus 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:38.040 is the glorified 00:33:38.040 --> 00:33:38.500 king 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.759 and as we see 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.339 the depth 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:40.880 and we realize 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:41.299 the depth 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:41.799 and the breadth 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.359 and the length 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.059 and the height 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:44.079 of the love of God 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.940 towards us 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:46.299 let us also 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:47.359 move towards him 00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:48.740 respond to him 00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:50.500 and move towards him 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:52.940 our mission here 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.440 at Watermark 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.259 is to make mature 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:54.759 disciples 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:56.000 of Jesus Christ 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.859 but that doesn't 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.259 just mean 00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.980 knowing the text 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.519 intellectually 00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:00.859 it doesn't just mean 00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:01.420 coming to church 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.039 it doesn't just mean 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:03.220 going to religious 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:04.240 type events 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.380 it means 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:06.319 that in our hearts 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:08.860 you come to know 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:11.019 how much Christ 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.500 loves you 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:12.980 you become 00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.759 secure 00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:14.860 in his love 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:16.860 and your love 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.099 with him 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.759 becomes deep 00:34:17.759 --> 00:34:18.500 rooted 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:20.699 and it's real 00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.920 it's intimate 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:22.900 it's personal 00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:23.880 it's alive 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:24.980 it's powerful 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.860 and it's life changing 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:28.599 and so how do you know 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:30.139 God loves you 00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:31.739 how do you know 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.739 Jesus loves you 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:34.719 look to the cross 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:36.359 look to the resurrection 00:34:36.359 --> 00:34:38.000 let's pray 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:41.339 Father thank you 00:34:41.339 --> 00:34:43.379 for all of these 00:34:43.379 --> 00:34:44.579 Old Testament scriptures 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:46.159 which paint such 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:46.879 beautiful pictures 00:34:46.879 --> 00:34:48.139 of Jesus 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:49.279 they were written 00:34:49.279 --> 00:34:50.919 and talked about 00:34:50.919 --> 00:34:52.799 thousands of years ago 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:53.519 hundreds and thousands 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.159 of years ago 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:54.439 Lord 00:34:54.439 --> 00:34:55.919 and yet are true 00:34:55.919 --> 00:34:56.699 and real 00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:59.119 and encouraging to us 00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.359 today 00:34:59.359 --> 00:34:59.939 I pray Lord 00:34:59.939 --> 00:35:00.519 that as we have 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.219 received your word 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.879 today from Isaiah 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:03.800 that we would not 00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:04.700 just leave here 00:35:04.700 --> 00:35:05.640 and think it's interesting 00:35:05.640 --> 00:35:06.880 and intellectual 00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:07.240 Lord 00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.160 but your word 00:35:08.160 --> 00:35:08.640 would be rooted 00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:09.579 deep in our hearts 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:11.180 and that we would 00:35:11.180 --> 00:35:12.280 come away from here 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:12.680 God 00:35:12.680 --> 00:35:14.220 being more secure 00:35:14.220 --> 00:35:14.700 than ever 00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:15.740 in your love 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:16.300 for us 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.480 and we would know 00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.160 the depth 00:35:18.160 --> 00:35:18.579 the breadth 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:19.720 and the height 00:35:19.720 --> 00:35:20.220 and the length 00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:21.240 and the deep 00:35:21.240 --> 00:35:22.500 profoundness 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.079 of your love 00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:24.099 for us 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:26.480 thank you 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.079 in Jesus name 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:28.519 Amen 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:30.000 mercy 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:30.099 John 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.820 verse 00:35:31.340 --> 00:35:31.699 לי 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.340 verse 00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:33.139 verse 00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:53.119 in dir 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:58.179 S