TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 50:10-11
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TODAY IN THE WORD
Many of us have heard the chilling German folk story of ""The Pied Piper."" In this centuries-old tale, the town of Hamelin hires a mysterious stranger to get rid of the town's rats. He walks their streets playing a magic flute, and the rats rush to follow him out of town.

Hamelin refuses to pay, however, since the stranger did the job so easily. The ""pied piper"" warns them that he will get his revenge. One day he appears again, playing his flute. This time it is the children who follow him out of town and through a door that opens magically into a mountain. The door shuts and no one ever sees the children again.

The mysterious stranger was both attractive and deceptive. Those who heard his flute and responded went to their doom. Today, many such ""pied pipers"" seek to draw people into darkness. Only Jesus Christ shines the light of truth into the hearts of all who come to Him.

As the Servant of the Lord, Christ alone shows us the way to the Father (John 14:6). In these closing verses of Isaiah's third Servant Song, the prophet adds a postscript to the Servant's challenge to His accusers.

The Servant had said that anyone who tried to oppose Him would fall apart like a moth-eaten garment. Isaiah, who had seen the Lord in all of His awesome holiness and glory (Isa. 6:1-4), understood the fear of the Lord. So he offered his testimony to the truth of the Servant's claims.

The Bible tells us that knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7). Here we see the value of that fear, or reverent regard for God. As sinful human beings, we need to obey ""the word of [God's] servant"" (Isa. 50:10).

Obeying His Word is what leads us to salvation. All of us need this salvation in Christ--left to ourselves we would wander in sin's darkness.

It's one thing to realize you're in the dark and look for the light. It's another thing to light your own spiritual fire, trying to find your way out of the darkness by following your own ""flaming torch.""
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Isn't it great to know that after we trust Christ, His light continues to shine on us along the way?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 14:53-65
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TODAY IN THE WORD
The Nazi secret police who burst into Corrie ten Boom's home in Holland were acting on a tip that something unusual was happening there. The Nazis suspected the family of hiding Jews, but all they could find were unauthorized ration stamps. The terrifying search was depicted in the dramatic film, ""The Hiding Place."" The Nazi officials conducted their usual ""investigation""--shouting accusations, demanding confessions, and even hitting Corrie on the mouth when her response was not fast enough.

True accounts such as these are about as close as human events come to duplicating the injustices and indignities heaped on our Lord at His trials and crucifixion. What's truly amazing is that the sinless Son of God willingly submitted to His persecutors to save us from our sins!

Jesus knew He would be betrayed to evil men and suffer at their hands (Mk. 14:41). In fact, the Lord's Servant spoke prophetically of His own suffering, even to the details of how He would be humiliated and beaten by His enemies (Isa. 50:6).

These words from the Servant's mouth were fulfilled in Christ's trial before the high priest Caiaphas. We were reminded the other day of Christ's silence before Pilate, to the latter's amazement.

But here, Jesus responded affirmatively to the high priest's direct question, ""Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"" (Mk. 14:61). Caiaphas had unknowingly identified Jesus perfectly, and the Lord claimed His rightful identity.

Jesus' answer evoked the high priest's rage and a charge of blasphemy. Here was the ultimate irony: Caiaphas was at that moment the great blasphemer for charging the Son of God and denying His identity.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We are on sacred ground in today's study. Perhaps the best response we can make to Christ's sacrifice is to give praise and thanksgiving for the great salvation He purchased for us.

We have many things for which to praise and thank God when it comes to our salvation. Consider these benefits today: 1. Forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 1:7); 2. Deliverance from Satan's domain into the kingdom of God's Son (Col. 1:13); 3. Adoption into God's family (Gal. 4:4-7); 4. Eternal life and a heavenly home (Jn. 3:16; 14:1-3).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 10:32-34; Luke 9:51-56
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TODAY IN THE WORD
During the Presidential campaign of 1932, Franklin Roosevelt planned a long trip out West. His aides begged him not to go. They were fearful that any show of exhaustion caused by his polio would play into the hands of the Republicans, who were casting doubts on Roosevelt's health and stamina.

But Roosevelt announced, ""Well, I'm going anyhow, and I'm not going to take a doctor along either."" He then made a triumphant Western tour as his aides watched in amazement.

Without pressing the details, we could say that a similar scenario unfolded as Jesus set out for His final trip to Jerusalem. Mark records the interesting detail that those walking with Jesus, certainly the Twelve and possibly other followers, were ""astonished"" (Mk. 10:32).

Astonished at what? Luke's account suggests a reason. Jesus didn't just get up and say, ""Let's go to Jerusalem."" He set out ""resolutely"" (Lk. 9:51, ""steadfastly set his face,"" KJV ). That is, there was something about the look in Jesus' eye and the determination in His step that made the disciples pull back in amazement.

The Servant Songs of Isaiah help to explain why Jesus astonished His companions. The Servant Himself says He set His face ""like flint"" to accomplish His purpose (Isa. 50:7). Once again, the prophetic word is fulfilled in Jesus.

We are so used to people ""sporting an attitude"" these days that when we read today's text, we might be tempted to picture Jesus' resolve as a ""tough guy"" look and walk. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jesus' determination to go to Jerusalem was a resolve of love. He would let nothing turn Him away from the Cross. It took supernatural resolve to look steadfastly at the Cross and yet not shrink back (Mk. 10:33-34).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we notice the glaring difference between His faithfulness and our fickleness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 8:42-47
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TODAY IN THE WORD
The notorious seventeenth-century English judge George Jeffreys once pointed his cane at a man about to be tried in his court and exclaimed, ""There is a rogue at the end of my cane.""

The accused man looked Jeffreys straight in the eye and asked, ""At which end, my lord?""

That question can often be answered in either direction when the two people involved are mere human beings. But when Jesus confronted His enemies, the issue of who bore the true guilt was never in doubt.

The Lord's rebuttal to the Pharisees in today's text bears a strong resemblance to the challenge issued by the Servant in Isaiah 50:8-9. Just as the Servant invited His accusers to step forward and prove even the slightest charge against Him, so Jesus challenged the Pharisees to produce any evidence that would prove Him guilty of sin (Jn. 8:46).

No one could do that, of course, so the ones who had already attacked Jesus by calling Him illegitimate (v. 41) added to their sin by labeling Him demon-possessed (v. 48). In between their blasphemous charges, Jesus drew the true picture concerning guilt and innocence, lies and the truth.

We talked earlier about the boldness of the Servant as He invited anyone to come forward and face Him with a charge that had substance. In this encounter, Jesus fulfilled the image of the bold Servant--and then some!

Since the Pharisees had raised the issue of parentage, Jesus took the occasion to set them straight on which child belonged to which parent. He was the true Son of God. They were children of their father, the devil.

And when it came to the truth, Jesus also drew the dividing line the way it should have been drawn. He could speak forthrightly because He knew He had come from the Father and spoke only what the Father gave Him to say.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Concerning believers, the apostle Paul asks much the same question as the Servant: ""Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?"" (Rom. 8:33). Answer: nobody.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 52:13-15
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TODAY IN THE WORD
Although Comet Hale-Bopp has been in the news a lot this year, on a Sunday in late March it was just one of the attractions in the night sky. In what one report called ""an astronomical triple play,"" the comet made its closest approach to earth while a full moon and a near-total lunar eclipse occurred on the same evening. The only problem were the clouds that hid part of the otherwise amazing show.

People will gather in good viewing places and climb to the roofs of their houses to get a look at an unusual occurrence in the sky. When Jesus Christ, the Servant of the Lord, returns to earth again, every eye will be on Him. And there will be nothing to draw attention away from His glorious coming.

The fourth and final Servant Song of Isaiah (52:13--53:12) opens with the declaration that the Servant will one day be ""lifted up and highly exalted"" (v. 13). Jesus spoke of being lifted up at His death on the Cross (Jn. 12:32), and this Song certainly focuses on many of the details of His suffering.

But the reference here is to the Servant's exaltation at God's right hand, not to His suffering. In fact, Isaiah used similar language of exaltation to describe God Himself (Isa. 6:1).

The Servant's exaltation makes a striking contrast to the appalling sight of Jesus' body by the time Pilate's soldiers finished beating and flogging Him. Imagine the weakened and bloodied Jesus, brought out to the crowd and introduced by Pilate with the words, ""Here is your king"" (Jn. 19:14).

Now picture our Lord returning in power and glory! Because of His sacrifice on the Cross, He is able to ""sprinkle"" many people in His role as Priest, cleansing them from their sins.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The exciting thing about Jesus' return is that there is nothing preventing Him from coming today!

This truth is not just theological. It has implications that are as practical as this week's schedule on your desk, in your pocket calendar, or posted on your refrigerator.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 53:1-3
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TODAY IN THE WORD
A powerful empire-builder once wrote this about Jesus Christ: ""I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires, and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not exist...Everything in Christ astonishes me. His spirit overawes men, and His will confounds me. Between Him and whoever else in the world there is no comparison. He is truly a being by Himself.""

It may surprise you to find that these words were uttered by Napoleon Bonaparte, since history does not usually present him in this light. But whether our surprise is valid, the emperor's astonishment at the Person and message of Jesus Christ is perfectly placed. There is no one like the Lord's Servant.

In fact, Napoleon's astonishment at Christ will be shared by the nation of Israel. Someday Israel will, along with many Gentile nations, realize that they badly misunderstood who Jesus was at His first coming. He came as the promised Messiah in fulfillment of prophecy but was rejected.

Speaking for the Jewish remnant who will experience restoration in the Messiah's millennial reign (Isa. 49:8-9), Isaiah laments the disbelief surrounding the Servant's message. This is all the more regrettable because the Servant's career was a testimony to the power of God. Verse 1 in today's text even says that He is the Lord's ""arm""!

Isaiah then cites the reasons Israel failed to esteem the Servant. Jesus' origins did not suggest greatness, although He was a descendant of David (Isa. 11:1). Likewise, there was nothing in Jesus' appearance or bearing that would magnetically draw people to Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's reading brings to mind another timeless principle of how God views each of us.

God Himself said, ""Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"" (1 Sam. 16:7). This refers to Eliab--an attractive man--but one whom God would not choose to be Israel's king.

How we treat others is often based on appearance. Our culture bombards us with media images of people with perfect looks--but we need the wisdom to see people as God sees them.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 53:4-6
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TODAY IN THE WORD
According to a news item from last year, King Hussein of Jordan pardoned a man who had been given a three-year sentence for slandering him. Hussein not only pardoned his critic, but went to the prison personally, took the man by the hand and led him from his cell, then gave him a ride home. The king explained his actions by saying that he could not hold a grudge and that the man's imprisonment was a burden on his soul.

This is an amazing account of a pardon. What prisoner would not be astounded to look up and see the king or the president, reaching out a hand to lead him to freedom? For those who know Jesus Christ this is a wonderful reality, not a daydream or a story off the news wire.

But look at the cost Jesus paid to free us from our sins. Our King did not simply issue a royal decree of pardon. He suffered every stroke of punishment our sins deserved. His body was pierced by the nails in His hands and the spear jabbed in His side. His wounds poured out blood by which the injuries that sin inflicted on us were healed (v. 5).

Yet Isaiah makes it clear that the Servant's suffering was not a cruel accident or a twist of fate. His body and spirit were crushed by the Father, who made His sinless Son to be sin for us so that we might have His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).

Do you see the tremendous paradox in these verses and others we have studied in the Servant Songs? Isaiah presents the portrait of a Servant who is also a King, an unimpressive and largely unnoticed Person before whom the kings of the earth will someday bow.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Living a life of sin can be as bleak and lonely as being locked up in a dark prison cell. Is there a friend or loved one of yours who is still held in this type of bondage?

It is not God's will that anyone be lost (2 Pet. 3:9). In light of this, you can pray confidently for the Holy Spirit to draw this person to Christ!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 53:7-9
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TODAY IN THE WORD
The ministry of David Brainerd, a missionary to the Indians of New York and New Jersey, has touched countless people for Christ over the past two centuries. And this is despite the fact that he died in 1747 at the age of twenty-nine. After his health began to deteriorate, Brainerd went to live with the great preacher Jonathan Edwards. Brainerd died at the Edwards' home, leaving behind his devotional journals, which Edwards compiled and edited. The resulting work was widely read in America and Great Britain after Brainerd's death and is still available today.

From a human standpoint, we could say that David Brainerd's life was cut dramatically short. But God does not measure life by years only. His Servant was also ""cut off from the land of the living"" (v. at an early age, though He completed the work God gave Him to do.

Today we continue our study of this classic Servant Song. For anyone who knows the story of Jesus, these are familiar words and images, fulfilled in the life and death of our suffering Savior.

We talked earlier this month about Jesus' silence in the face of His accusers. His trials were a mockery, so He refused to dignify the proceedings by trying to defend Himself against the charges. The only time He broke silence was to answer the question of whether He was the Son of God (Mt. 26:62-64).

The innocence of Jesus was firmly established in prophecy before the occasion of His trials prior to His crucifixion. He was, on the human side, the object of oppression and unjust judgment. He was condemned not for His own crimes, but for the sins of others (Isa. 53:. He was free of any wrong (v. 9).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Pastor and Moody Press author Alistair Begg once said that while believers may die early, they never die prematurely.

His point is that God's sovereign power is able to preserve us until we have fulfilled His will for us. As someone else has said, this means that you are immortal in the will of God!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 53:10-12
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TODAY IN THE WORD
John Bell received a new heart pacemaker this year at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Mr. Bell had outlived the battery on his old pacemaker, which was put in eleven years ago. The surgery was newsworthy because Mr. Bell is 115 years old and is in good health. The doctor who replaced the pacemaker said he would be delighted to provide Mr. Bell with a new one when he is 125 years old!

Most people enjoy hearing about someone who seems to defy the ravages of aging and who enjoys a long life. The Servant of the Lord will enjoy prolonged life (v. 10) after being ""cut off"" from the living by His death and burial (see vv. 8-9).

Once again, we see how Christ's death and resurrection give full meaning to Isaiah's prophecy. The ""offspring"" of the Servant are those who believe on Him and become His children (Jn. 1:12). Our hope of resurrection and new life would be in vain if Christ were not raised (1 Cor. 15:16-19).

In these closing, triumphant verses of Isaiah's Servant Songs, we still read of the Servant's suffering and death--a death of humiliation as He was executed like a common criminal. But by now we have seen a common thread running through these references. Far from being merely tragic or unjust, the Servant's terrible suffering and agonizing death is wonderfully beneficial, securing eternal salvation for all who will believe on Him.

Verse 11 is a clear affirmation of Jesus' saving power. The phrase ""His knowledge"" probably means ""by knowledge of Him""--Peter said there is no other name on earth in which salvation can be found except the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).


TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Over the past few days, our minds have been filled with visions of glory.

Sometimes, though, the benefits of salvation and the joys of heaven can seem remote in light of the broken-down car, leaky roof, or rebellious child we have to deal with today.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 26:57-68
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TODAY IN THE WORD
When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Jewish refugees poured into Lithuania. A large group went to the Japanese Consulate, where they found a sympathetic diplomat named Chiune Sugihara.

Against his government's orders, Sugihara issued exit visas for an estimated 6ꯠ Jews, writing them by hand almost nonstop for a month until the Soviets closed the embassy. His ""reward"" was eighteen months in a Soviet prison camp with his family after the war, and dismissal from his post when he returned to Japan. For years he lived in obscurity, feeling disgraced. But in 1985, Sugihara was honored by the Israeli government for his heroic efforts.

Stories of such sacrifice move us, as they should. People who rescue others at great cost to themselves deserve our respect. Chiune Sugihara's ultimate reward was being contacted years later by some of the Jewish people whose lives he had saved.

Jesus Christ paid the greatest price of all time to save others. The cost to Himself, and to God the Father, was so infinitely high that it will take us eternity to grasp its scope.

In unforgettable words and images, the Servant Song in Isaiah 52-53 tells us that the Servant did not suffer for Himself but for others. Not for those who blessed and honored Him for His sacrifice, but for those who despised, rejected, and mistreated Him--for all of us whose sins nailed Him to the Cross.

This scene in Matthew from Jesus' trial before the Jewish council and high priest gives us a glimpse into the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. A good deal of the ""punishment"" and the ""wounds"" laid on the Servant (Isa. 53:5) came at this beating by the soldiers after Jesus answered Caiaphas truthfully under oath (Mt. 26:63-64).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In response to the high priest's question, Jesus declared the truth of His future exaltation and glorious return.

Jesus' answer inflamed Caiaphas' hatred, but it should infuse us with hope. Here are three reasons for that hope: 1. Because Jesus is reigning in heaven, He has the power to answer prayer (Jn. 16:24); 2. Because Jesus is our High Priest (as we saw yesterday), we can approach our Lord with our needs; and 3. Because Jesus triumphed over death and is now at the Father's right hand, nothing we do for Him and in His name is ever wasted (1 Cor. 15:57-58).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 12:37-41
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TODAY IN THE WORD
After the ocean liner Titanic sank in April 1912, countless news reports poured out as inquiries were held to determine what happened and to assign responsibility for the disaster. One picture that emerged from the findings was of an incredible, almost arrogant, confidence in the ship's ""unsinkability"" on the part of its designers and builders. Their confidence must have spread, because several passengers recorded in their diaries that they overheard other people saying, ""Even God couldn't sink this ship!""

The arrogance surrounding the Titanic's maiden voyage, and the disaster that followed, give us a good feel for what was happening in Israel when Jesus entered Jerusalem to inaugurate Holy Week (Jn. 12:12).

Israel's leaders, smug and satisfied in their self-made religious world, scoffed at Jesus' followers for shouting His praises as He rode into the city. In their righteous indignation, they felt sure that God would not do any great work among them without them being made aware of it first (see Jn. 9:28-29).

As the week progressed, the smugness and disdain of the religious leaders filtered down to the people. Those whose stubbornness John recorded in today's text are called simply ""the crowd"" (Jn. 12:34).

The people's refusal to believe may seem surprising in light of the many wonderful miracles Jesus did (v. 37). But for those who knew the Servant Song of Isaiah 52-53, this rejection was the direct fulfillment of prophecy.

We don't have to speculate about that, as you discovered when you read these verses. John quoted Isaiah 53:1 verbatim to explain the people's unbelief. And in verse 41 of today's text, the apostle gives a ringing confirmation of the thesis we have been developing all month: the Servant of the Lord is none other than Jesus Christ.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Unbelief is never an attractive thing in the Bible. We who have believed in Christ are still prone to ""bouts of doubt"" when we are tempted to question His goodness. Doubt may be natural, but it was never meant to be normal for the Christian.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 23:50-56
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TODAY IN THE WORD
The Scythians were a band of nomadic warriors who commanded a vast stretch of territory in the late B.C. period. But archaeologists say that the recent discovery outside Kiev, Ukraine, of a spectacular Scythian tomb belonging to a prince may change the way history views this nomadic people. The tomb suggests that the Scythians may have practiced a more settled way of life and death than they were known for.

A people's burial habits tell a lot about their way of life and their beliefs. Jewish burial customs are referred to several times in Scripture, and they often become critically important to the truth of Scripture. One crucial time is, of course, the burial of Jesus Christ.

For instance, the Jewish custom of burying their dead before the Sabbath meant that Jesus' friends needed to make hasty arrangements for His burial. When Joseph and the others asked Pilate for Jesus' body, Pilate expressed surprise that He was already dead (Mark 15:44). So he had it investigated and it was confirmed that Jesus was dead.

This is an important witness to the truth of Scripture, because it confirms that Jesus did indeed die for our sins. It also serves to validate His resurrection from the dead. He did not merely pass out and revive in the tomb.

And the fact that Joseph, a ""rich man"" (Mt. 27:57), loaned Jesus his new tomb cut out of rock was also very significant. This directly fulfilled Isaiah 53:9, which provides us with yet another testimony to the absolute trustworthiness of God's prophetic Word.

Even the earlier reference in verse 9 to the Servant's being ""assigned a grave with the wicked"" was fulfilled in Jesus. He was crucified between two wicked men, and presumably would have been buried where they were buried had Joseph and Nicodemus not claimed His body (Jn. 19:38-39).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Two groups were prominent at the burial of Jesus.

The first group was the worshipers (Lk. 23:55-56). Mary and the other women wanted to apply spices to Jesus' body. But they waited, observing the Sabbath of rest and worship.

The other group was the worriers (Mt. 27:62-66). Pilate and the Jewish leaders were already sweating that they might have crucified the wrong Person.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Peter 2:21-25
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TODAY IN THE WORD
The story is told that British prime minister William Gladstone sat at his desk late one night, writing a speech to deliver the next day--one he hoped would help resolve a grave political crisis. As Gladstone worked, a knock came at his door. It was a poor and desperate woman, looking for someone to comfort her dying child. Without hesitation, Gladstone left his speech and spent the rest of the night with the child, leading him to Christ before he died. Light was breaking when Gladstone returned to his study.

There are several fascinating parallels between this story and the situation Jesus faced the night of His arrest. Much like Gladstone preparing to face his critics, Jesus was about to be surrounded by His enemies as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. And like the prime minister, Jesus laid aside His own needs to deal with the spiritual needs of others.

The parallels can't be pressed too far, of course, because the Son of God is incomparable. As He faced His enemies, He did so absolutely innocent of any sin or deceit (v. 22), as Isaiah had prophesied (53:9). When Jesus' accusers ""hurled their insults at Him"" (1 Pet. 2:23), He did not open His mouth to retaliate or make threats (Isa. 53:7).

Instead, He bore our sins, and we are healed spiritually by His wounds (1 Pet. 2:24, Isa. 53:4-5). And finally, when we wandered in the darkness of sin like sheep gone astray, Jesus brought us back by taking our iniquities on Himself (1 Pet. 2:25, Isa. 53:6).

Do you get the idea that the apostle Peter had the scroll of Isaiah opened to the Servant Song as he wrote? Under the Holy Spirit's inspiration, Peter saw every detail of the Servant's sacrifice fulfilled in the life and death of his Savior and Lord.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A few verses after 2 Peter 1:16, you'll read a remarkable statement.

After affirming his truthfulness as an eyewitness, Peter says to his readers, ""We have the word of the prophets made more certain"" (v. 19).

That's a great word of comfort! Peter is assuring people like us, believers who didn't see Jesus, that we can have absolute confidence in our faith because we have God's written testimony in our hands.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 2:5-11
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TODAY IN THE WORD
On May 21, 1946, a government scientist in Los Alamos, New Mexico, was carrying out an experiment in preparation for an atomic test in the South Pacific. But at a crucial point in the experiment, two hemispheres of U-235 uranium came together accidentally, triggering a chain reaction that could have killed all eight people in the room.

The young scientist pulled the hemispheres apart with his hands, stopping the reaction but exposing himself to a lethal dose of radiation. The other seven people were saved, but he died in agony just nine days later.

No one can make a greater sacrifice for others than to give his life (Jn. 15:13). Jesus made this sacrifice for us, but He yielded much more than His life. He laid aside all the privileges and glories of heaven to subject Himself to the weakness of human flesh.

We could call today's passage in Philippians 2 the ""Servant Song"" of the New Testament. When these verses are read against the backdrop of Isaiah's four Songs, the similarities in content and language are very apparent.

The most obvious parallel is in Paul's use of the word servant itself. When he came to summarize the earthly life of Christ, Paul drew on this term that expresses the epitome of selflessness and ministry to others.

The humiliating and excruciating death Jesus suffered was also prophesied in amazing detail in Isaiah's Servant Songs. And the Servant's exaltation was foretold as well--an encouragement to those who trust in Him and a warning to those who would reject Him.

How should we close our studies this month? Praise, wonder, and adoration at the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf are certainly called for. But Paul calls us to take a further step, that of serving others with the same selfless attitude that marked Jesus Himself (v .5).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We could fill several libraries with all of the material written about Jesus' call on our lives to be His servants.

But serving Christ is often like New Year's resolutions: easy to talk about, but not so easy to do. Yet, our marching orders are to serve as Christ has served us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hosea 1:1-5
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TODAY IN THE WORD
Italian restorers are using modern technology to refurbish two magnificent bronze, Greek sculptures found more than twenty years ago off Italy's shore. The two classical masterpieces were cleaned when they were first discovered. But inside, ocean salt had infiltrated the clay casting, resulting in corrosion. Using a miniature TV camera and relying on video images, restoration specialists used dental-like instruments to remove more than 200 pounds of clay.

The northern kingdom of Israel in the days of the prophet Hosea was very much like those Greek statues. Outwardly, things looked pretty solid. The nation was enjoying a time of material prosperity under ""Jeroboam son of Jehoash"" (v. 1) when Hosea began his prophetic ministry in the middle of the eighth century B.C.

Likewise, the military situation was stable, since the Assyrian empire to the east of Israel had given up its western expansion plans--for the time being.

But beneath the surface the nation's core was corroding. God lowered the ""camera"" of His holiness into the soul of Israel and exposed the spiritual adultery of His people. They had departed from Him (v. 2) and broken His covenant. Judgment was due--yet God would also remember His promises to Abraham and to David: restoring His people in a glorious future age.

Hosea was to deliver this message in a very unusual way. God ordered him to marry Gomer, a woman who would prove unfaithful. This was to be an object lesson of God's anger with Israel, yet also a lesson of His promise to restore.

Hosea's firstborn, Jezreel, was a reminder of judgment. Many years earlier, God's judgment was incurred by Jehu's killing Ahaziah, a descendant of David, at a town called Jezreel. In attacking the house of David, Jehu went too far--the judgment of God was then fulfilled when Jehu's descendant Zechariah was assassinated (2 Kings 15:8-12).


TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Like many of the Old Testament prophets, Hosea's message was firm.