ESOCS Devotional 23 September 2022
TEXT: ISAIAH 49: 1-13
MEMORY VERSE: “Sing, heavens! Shout for joy, earth! Let the mountains burst into song! The Lord will comfort his people; he will have pity on his suffering people. Isaiah 49:13 GNB.
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
From the time of the great fall in the Garden of Eden, God took up the challenge to deliver and restore man’s lost glory. Hence, God put it to the serpent that He would establish a perpetual hatred and enmity between the offspring of the woman and the devil. Interestingly, the promise was that the offspring of the woman will finally be victorious (Genesis 3:15).
Genesis 3:15 is often seen as the first prediction of the coming of Jesus Christ. In this passage, God prophesied that those who are of the devil will gain temporary power over the seed of the woman (Jesus Christ). This was fulfilled during Christ’s hour of darkness on the cross (Luke 22: 53; 23:44). However, the final crushing blow to the devil was dealt by Jesus as reported in Hebrews 2:14 and 1 John 3:8).
Yes, the Jews rejected the Good News. But that was as planned, so the message could also be extended to the Gentiles. When Paul preached in Antioch, and they rejected his message, he then turned to the Gentiles with the Good News of salvation (Isaiah 49:6, Acts 13:46-47).
Jesus is the one sent out from God with the redemptive mission to deliver man (vss. 1-4). He is God’s source of glory, who went forth to carry out the will of the Father. As God’s humble servant, His primary task was to restore and redeem Israel. But His mission was beyond the Jewish Nation, in that He was also to call the Gentiles to the fold (Acts 10:1-48). Surely, the physical Israel nation was the set foundation for Christ’s redemptive work. They rejected the Messiah and killed Him. But upon His resurrection, He was now manifested to be for millions across the whole world. He manifested as King of kings, and Lord of lords (vs. 7; 1 Timothy 6:15).
As Jesus, the Mediator of the covenant came into the world, He brought salvation to mankind. Through His suffering and death on the cross, forgiveness came. Those who were in bondage, now enjoy freedom in the light of the Saviour. By His coming, physical Israel was restored to their home land. By extension, all the lost of the nations across the world, are being restored to the Kingdom of God through faith in Him. It is actually a time for glorious jubilation for the human race. The serpent’s head, has finally been crushed (Genesis 3: 15) Praise God, for the emergence of Jesus Christ, as the comforter of the human race.
CHALLENGES: Jesus was prophesied to be the Messiah of Israel. But how come He suffered and died as a coward?
PRAYER POINTS: Lord Jesus, let your wisdom lead us to understand the mystery surrounding your being. Amen.
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FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 8: 15-19; Matthew 10: 1-15; Matthew 10: 16-22.
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ESOCS Devotional 23 September 2022
