Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42
Isaiah 52:13 begins our conversation with the wise servantly who has been exalted. Then, from verse 14, the reading begins to explain what this servant endured to deserve such honor. We learn in verse 15 that he was the victim of brutal physical assault that left him grossly disfigured. We also know that, at least, some aspects of this assault were public, including that some of the observers left with blood splatter on them, and that his innocence was self-evident. It is all contained in this prophetic affidavit. “So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider” (Isaiah 52:15 KJV).
In chapter 53 we see his unimpressive biography in that he was not privileged with favor or pardon. This individual was wrongfully convicted and put to death for crimes he did not commit. I refer again to the written testimony of the prophet.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:6, 9)
It appears, therefore, that the honor here bestowed is posthumous, after his sentence was meted out.
An excerpt of Psalm 22, speaks to the horrors of incarceration, death row, and the deleterious effect it has on the psyche. One imagines this to be especially true for an innocent, such as the wise servant.
For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me…they stare and gloat over me…
I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Psalm 22: 16a, b17, 6, and 1a ESV)
Then in verse 22 the conversation changes and we see that the prisoner has not lost hope after all! The wise servant begins to praise the Lord! Upon further investigation we see that, unlike the tragedy of other wrongful convictions, the day of his death was not for nothing. Previously overlooked evidence from Isaiah 53:1 calls him the “arm of the Lord”! Hebrews 10:16 states that the day of his death marked a new covenant with the Lord! “I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more” (Hebrews 10:16b-17). This new covenant means that neither goats nor scapegoats are required to atone for sin. The new responsibility of the church is to stir up one another in love, stir up one another in good works, and to encourage on another (vv. 24-25).
The eye witness testimony of John 18-19 states that Jesus of Nazareth was the wise servant, the arm of the Lord, who was wrongfully detained, assaulted, and executed. Since, to quote Caiaphas, “it would be expedient that one man should die for the people” (John 18:14b). What he asks in return is for us to commit to God's new covenant.
Based on these readings, I see five (5) ways the church can be stirred to good works for the wrongly accused, mistreated, and prisoned.
Avoid perjury by bearing true witness.
Peacefully speak out and advocate against police and prison brutality.
Work to pardon, overturn the convictions of, and release the innocent.
Visit and support prisoners.
Visit and support the families of prisoners.
Pastor Shimar is a seminary student and lead pastor of Feasts of God church. Follow him on most social media platforms @ShimarKeithSays. https://linktr.ee/shimarkeithsays
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