It came true

Jesus delivered to soldiers - Alexandre Bida

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 50:1-11

TO CHEW ON: "I gave my back to those who struck Me and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting."  Isaiah 50:6

This verse is prophetic. Matthew includes the exact details mentioned in it as happening to Jesus during His passion:

"Then they spat in His face and beat him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands. ... Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. … Then they spat on him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head." Matthew 26:67; 27:26,30.

Because Jesus endured the torture described here and went on to finish what He set out to do (pay the penalty for our sins - John 19:30), we take seriously the invitation at the end of the chapter:

"Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His servant? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon His God" - Isaiah 50:10.

Trust for what:

- That Jesus was (and is) who He said He was - John 6:28,29.

- That in Jesus we have the resources we need to live the Christian life:

• The shield of faith to "quench the fiery darts of the wicked one" - Ephesians 6:16.

• The wherewithal to fight "the good fight of faith" throughout our lifetimes - 1 Timothy 6:12.

• The argument to counteract the accusations of our consciences that tell us we're not worthy - Hebrews 10:22.

- That God hears and answers our prayers - James 1:5,6.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for enduring such vile treatment from those You came to save. Thank You for finishing what You came to do. I entrust myself to You. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.