Extreme Suffering and Boundless Comfort
(Isa. 53:1~12)

When we look to the Lord who was severely flogged and was dying by being nailed on the cross, we cannot understand even a bit about pain that Jesus went through even if we are sorrowful. We must know that the grace given to us by the Lord is the fruit of pain on the cross. Because of such great grace, we are saved by faith.

1. It is finished
1) Because Adam who was the ancestor of humanity committed sin, all people who were born as the descendants of Adam are living in pain of sins, curses, and death. (Rom. 5:12)
2) Jesus came as the last Adam and paid for our sins. (1 Cor. 15:21~22)
3) Jesus went through pain for us who were in absolute despair. (Gen. 3:17~19)

2. Unlimited comfort brought by extreme suffering
1) Jesus lived an ordinary life on this land. The Bible says, “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” (Isa. 53:1~3)
2) Jesus went through extreme suffering and died on the cross. As this was an offering to redeem us from our sins, Jesus took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. (Isa. 53:4~6)

3. Jesus’ suffering in our place
1) The Bible records Jesus who was in pain in this way. “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isa. 53:7~9)
2) By carrying our iniquities and dying on the cross, Jesus declared “it is finished” after fulfilling the will that God is pleased with. (Isa. 53:10~12)

Conclusion
Just as we are amazed at marvelous scenes like waterfalls, when we look to Jesus’ cross, we are deeply touched by realizing that horrible sufferings and extreme sorrow were for us to have a life. Even if our circumstances are difficult, we can gain comfort and peace if we look to the cross of the Lord.