Smitten by God

Read Isaiah 53
 
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
 
OUR verse-by-verse study of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 53 continues.
 
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows.
 
This verse is quoted in Matthew in response to the physical healings Jesus did. Matthew 8:15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
   The physical healing was Jesus’ demonstration of the spiritual healing the Lord was doing for mankind. Our deepest infirmities, of course, are the sins that infect our mind and heart against God. It is sin that disables us from a full relationship with God. God warned Adam of death if he disobeyed his commands. Death is sin’s great disease. Jesus “took up” our sins onto the cross, offering the healing – the remission – of sins.
   There is a powerful lesson here of Jesus’ physical healing power. Our faith over the centuries that “Jesus heals” has diminished to “doctors heal”. In truth, it is the Messiah alone who will take up our diseases for the glory of his name. It is Jesus’ healing that will bring us sinners into his glory.
 
 yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
 
The Lord Jesus told his disciples that he did only as the Father spoke to him. And he prayed to the Father, thankful he had finished the work the Father had prepared for him. John 17: 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. In addition, Matthew 27:45-66 records Jesus’ last words and the heavens’ response to his suffering. They are words of submission to the Father and love for humanity. Isaiah’s words are a humbling reminder of our Lord’s dying for our living.