The Song of Victory

Read Isaiah 50
 
Isaiah 50:6-9 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;  I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.
 
THIS is the third of four “Servant Songs”. These are passages that are specific to Jesus’ ministry. You can read them in Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4-11 and 52:13-53:12. This chapter is God’s prophecy of the Savior’s victory through Israel’s unbelief. Think of this. The Living Word of God – Jesus Christ – told Isaiah what would happen to him when he came to the earth! Our God is an awesome God to plan and to fulfill his word, even to the cross.
    These words clearly came true in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry, humility, suffering and resurrection. Verse 6 is about Jesus’ humiliation and flogging. During Jesus’ ministry the ruling Jews attempted to humiliate our Lord and were quick to mock him: Matthew 27:41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. There was then the abusive spitting in Pilate’s court: Matthew 26:67 They spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him. Then came the flogging: Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. (John 19:1) The mocking even continued at the cross: “Come down from the cross and save yourself!”(Mark 15:30)
    Yet, there is the Savior’s victory in his suffering. Isaiah 50:8 He who vindicates me is near. Paul confirms Jesus is vindicated – approved for his faithful work: 1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
    The Father approved the Son through the Spirit because Jesus was fully confident in the Father’s will. Verse 9 “The Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. This was Jesus’ firm approach to complete his work, even as he knew the agony ahead. He had his eyes on heaven: Luke 9:51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
    We praise God Jesus’ suffering led to vindication and victory. He is the innocent sacrifice who has defeated sin and death. The Savior’s work is worthy of a Servant Song. Sing your praise to him.
 
Psalms 150:1 Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.