Who Has Believed Our Message?

Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? [Isaiah 53.1]

Isaiah 53 has long been a favorite prophecy of Jesus.

Who has believed our message? Well, for starters, Jesus believed the message of Isaiah 53.

How do I begin to explain that our focus on Jesus from prophecy coupled with our understanding of Jesus in His New Testament Advent are grossly incomplete without proper understanding of Jesus here and now? When I say it like this, it sounds like a powerful message is forthcoming. However, I fear that the change of mind required to properly understand Jesus today is going to require an unprecedented move of the Holy Spirit. May God's Holy Spirit anoint that which follows here...

I'll just come out and say it. Isaiah 53 is about every genuine believer as much as it is about Jesus. How can this be? There are many different passages of scripture that support this, but for some reason, we are largely distracted with other meanings of these passages (if not ignoring their intended meaning altogether). Let's begin with these:

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. [John 17.18]

Jesus prayed this in His prayer to God in John 17. "Them" is referring to His followers. To what end was Jesus sent into the world? Isaiah 53.

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

Jesus said this directly to His followers. Again, to what end are they sent? The same as Jesus: Isaiah 53.

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. [Luke 9.23]

And Luke 9.23 is where it gets sticky! "Your cross" is a direct tie to Jesus' Cross. Just as Jesus knew the Cross was His destination and the purpose for His life, He told the crowd they must have the same mindset. And, this passage really reveals Isaiah 53.

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. [John 15.20]

Again, here in John 15, Jesus likens our lives to His. His life was defined in Isaiah 53.

Who has believed our message? Jesus invited all His followers to believe the message of Isaiah 53.

Let me continue to break away from current erroneous religious thought. The Apostle Paul gave us a great picture of Isaiah 53, however, we have entirely missed its meaning. Consider this passage:

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [Ephesians 6 13-17]

Every illustration of the armor of God I have ever seen, whether in print, on the internet, or on a t-shirt, depicts a very fierce, well-armored, imposing warrior. The reason for this is simple: in spite of Paul's warnings that we are not fighting "flesh and blood enemies" religion has chosen to still "see" the armor of God with "flesh and blood understanding" - thus, the glorious soldier picture. 

However, if we are in Christ, that picture becomes quite the opposite. Every piece of God's armor displayed by Jesus is, one by one, the antithesis of our mistaken flesh and blood idea of it. Instead of flesh and blood protection, there is flesh and blood vulnerability. This vulnerability however is the realm of the Spirit. - the realm of the powerful arm of God! This vulnerability is where truth and righteousness are seen in a bare torso shredded by the lies and evil intent of the world - exposed, yet unafraid. This vulnerability is where the peace of forgiveness (the Gospel) is seen in a stance upon spikes through bare feet on behalf of others. This vulnerability is where shielding faith is seen in bare hands nailed outspread and defenseless. This vulnerability is where salvation is seen in the humiliation of a crown of thorns pressed into a bare head.

Jesus' picture of the armor of God is so very much different than modern religion paints it. Consequently, it's not the subject of popular sermons, teachings, or best-sellers. Instead, Jesus' picture of the armor of God depicts death to self-preservation in every possible way - from head to toe.

Who has believed our message? Do you believe the picture of Jesus on the Cross is the message of Isaiah 53? Do you believe the message of Isaiah 53 is the description of Christ followers on their cross? Do you believe the description of Christ followers on their cross is the message of the armor of God, vulnerable in the world's eyes, but fully protected by God's powerful arm?

The one who believes is the one to whom God reveals His powerful arm!

Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? [Isaiah 53.1]

Father, may we be found believing the message about Jesus - the message about us. So be it.