JESUS and Obedience (Is.50)

In the beginning of Isaiah chapter 50, the LORD is telling the Israelites that they are responsible for the consequences that they are experiencing.  They are responsible for cutting themselves off from God.  The LORD likens that to a divorce.  God did not divorce the Israelites - it was the Israelites who walked away from the relationship.  And because of their sinfulness, they were taken into captivity.  God asks them why they didn't go to Him for help?  He can control nature - He created the universe - why would they think He could not help them???

Well. we all need help!!!  Beginning in verse 4, it is "Jesus" who is speaking, and showing us that He is our example - just as He was when He was here on earth as our living example...

 (Isaiah 50:4-5)   The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.  He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
5 The Lord God has opened My ear;  and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back.

In these verses, Jesus is being described as the perfect Disciple.  When Jesus came to earth in flesh (100% man and 100% God), He "walked in our shoes" - yet without sin!  And He was obedient to God and carried out the work on the cross....

(John 6:38-40)  "...For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

It wasn't going to be easy though.  Jesus knew that He would be taking on and paying for all sins of the entire world of all time (past, present, future) - as well as going through physical persecution....

 (Isaiah 50:6)   I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard;  I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.

This prophecy was fulfilled...

(John 19:1-3)  Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.

(Matthew 26:67-68)  Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

(Matthew 27:30-31)  They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 31 After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

Yet through it all - Jesus - as our example - looked to God for His help...

 (Isaiah 50:7-9)  For the Lord God helps Me, therefore, I am not disgraced;  therefore, I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.
8 He who vindicates Me is near;  who will contend with Me?  Let us stand up to each other;  who has a case against Me?  Let him draw near to Me.
9 Behold, the Lord God helps Me;  who is he who condemns Me?  Behold, they will all wear out like a garment;  the moth will eat them.

If Jesus, the Son of God, relies on God for His help - why would we not do the same?  Us - who will wear out like a garment!  And because Jesus had victory over death - HE is our salvation!  When we become children of God, it is Jesus who "represents" us to the heavenly Father as righteous.  And Jesus is the One to represent us, because not only did He pay the price for our sins, but He has "walked in our shoes" so that we could know that He understands what we are going through...

(Hebrews 4:14-16)  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

When we fear the LORD, and trust in the LORD - we will have HIS light.  But the one who tries to make their own light - will not get into heaven...

 (Isaiah 50:10-11)   Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness and has no light?  Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and among the brands you have set ablaze.  This you will have from My hand:  You will lie down in torment.

God is holy and cannot look on sin.  To get into heaven - we must be perfect.  I don't know about you, but I sure am not perfect...

(Romans 3:23)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

(Isaiah 64:6)  For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;  and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

But there is a message of good news when we believe in Jesus.  This sums everything up very nicely...

(1 Peter 2:21-24)  For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.