JULY 12, 2013
That’s
Jesus!
Read: Isaiah
53:4-12
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities.
—Isaiah
53:5
As
a Jewish kid growing up in New York, Michael Brown had no interest in spiritual
things. His life revolved around being a drummer for a band, and he got mixed
up
with drugs. But then some friends invited him to church, where he found the
love
and prayers of the people to be irresistible. After a short spiritual
struggle, Michael
trusted Jesus as Savior.
This
was a monumental change for a wayward Jewish teen. One day he told his dad
he
had heard about Old Testament texts describing Jesus. His dad, incredulous,
asked, “Where?” When Michael opened his Bible, it fell to Isaiah 53. They read
it,
and Michael exclaimed, “That’s Him! That’s Jesus!”
Indeed,
it is Jesus. Through the help of Christians and the
guidance of the Holy Spirit,
Brown (today a Bible scholar and an author) came
to recognize the Messiah of
Isaiah 53. He experienced the salvation that
changes lives, forgives sin, and gives
abundant life to all who trust the “Man
of sorrows” (v.3). Jesus is the One who was
“wounded for our transgressions”
and who died for us on the cross (v.5).
The
Bible reveals Jesus, who alone has the power to change lives.
God, I struggle with this idea of Jesus as Savior.
I know He’s a good man, but I need to see that He is
more than that. Please show me—through others or
through the Bible—how I can know for sure who Jesus is.
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change hearts.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
