Friday, January 28, 2011

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 30, 2011

HEALED BY HIS BRUISES
(By the SERVANT’s suffering, we are made whole)
(Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

The passage of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 represents the fourth, final, and most compelling of the, so-called, “Servant Songs” that are contained in this prophetic book. It depicts the Old Testament’s most vivid description of the suffering of JESUS CHRIST, which would occur some 700 years down the road in Jerusalem, and would culminate with JESUS’ “death walk” to Golgotha, and subsequent expiration on the cross. We all know now, that, that “passion week” for JESUS was concluded three days later by HIS miraculous “resurrection” that has become the very cornerstone of the Christian Faith. When HE suffered and died on Calvary Hill on the cross, the sins of an entire world hung with HIM on HIS shoulders.
As mere humans, we are by no means designed to carry the weight, physically or spiritually that JESUS was assigned by GOD the FATHER to carry for us. In the book of Acts, in chapter 1 verse 3, the word used for “passion” in the original Greek writing is “pascho” (pas-kho), and it means “to experience the sensation or impression of pain”. It is the only time in scripture that this particular word is used for “passion”. There, it uniquely describes the suffering of CHRIST that is depicted in the “Passion Narratives” of the four Gospels (Matthew 26 & 27, Mark 14 & 15, Luke 22, and John 19). These particular passages represent the fulfillment of the prophecy that we see here in Isaiah 52:13-53:12.
Theologians of the Post-Apostolic Age often struggle trying to find an explanation as to why JESUS had to die. This passage by Isaiah gives us, perhaps, the clearest explanation of why, that can be found anywhere else in scripture. Here Isaiah tells us, in effect, that, JESUS was offered up as a “guilt offering”, or “offer of atonement” for the sins of man, past, present, and future (53:10-12). It was the only offering that could be acceptable to GOD the FATHER, and so we see here, a theory of atonement being developed.
Isaiah tells us in 52:13 that JESUS, the SERVANT, was so badly beaten and bloodied that one would have a hard time recognizing if HE was even a human being. He also tells us in 53:2 that there was already nothing beautiful or majestic about HIS appearance that could draw a person to HIM.
The prophet goes on to tell us in verse 3, that, in addition, JESUS would be rejected and despised, and would be a man of sorrow who was all too familiar with bitter grief. And we, whom HE died for, would not recognize that it was our weaknesses and sorrows that weighed HIM down (v. 4). We would think that HIS troubles were a product of HIS OWN sins, and HIS OWN making.
We Christians, of the Post-Apostolic Age, understand clearly that JESUS was wounded and crushed for our sins, not HIS. We know that HE was beaten so that we might have peace, and that HE was whipped so that we might be healed (v. 5). In verse 7, Isaiah tells us that JESUS was oppressed and treated harshly, and yet, HE never said a word. HE was led like a lamb to slaughter, and just as a sheep is silent before the Shearers, like so, JESUS, was also silent. And finally, Isaiah tells us that JESUS would be buried like a criminal, but in a rich man’s grave (See Matthew 27:57-60).
JESUS’ suffering was a unique event in the annals of biblical and human history. Its uniqueness rests in the fact that, first, HE is the SON of GOD, and secondly, that HIS vicarious sacrifice was what won us our salvation. No one else, and nothing else, could have provided us with such a precious gift. And even though HE was counted among sinners, in reality, HE actually bore the sins of sinners, and by doing so, HE now intercedes in the presence of GOD the FATHER, for every man in general, and for all Christians in particular.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


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Friday, January 21, 2011

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 23, 2011

THE SERVANT’S MISSION
(GOD’s servants suffer to glorify HIM)
(Isaiah 49:1-6)

Isaiah 49:1-6 represents the second of four “Servant Songs” that are contained in the book of Isaiah. The other passages are Isaiah 42:1-17, 50:3-9, and 52:13-53:12. They are called Servant Songs because they prophesy of the coming of the ultimate SERVANT, and MESSENGER, JESUS CHRIST. However, the definition of a servant is anyone whom GOD might choose to send to represent HIM through a message, from on high, that will bring the knowledge of HIMSELF, to all mankind.
Here in Isaiah 49:5-6, we see that the rejection of the SERVANT by HIS OWN people, (the Jews), will lead to the inclusion of the Gentiles into GOD’s family as HIS adopted children and followers. Moving forward about 800 years the book of Acts, in chapter 13, about a week after the Apostle Paul had delivered his longest recorded sermon in scripture to the people at Antioch of Syria (Acts 13:16-41), Luke tells us that Paul and Barnabas returned again to the synagogue, and this time, nearly the whole city came to hear them. It was on that occasion that they stood and boldly announced to the Jews by quoting from the passage here that is now Isaiah 49:6, saying, “I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth”. When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad, and thanked GOD for the fulfillment of HIS message through Paul and Barnabas.
However, the Jewish leaders who were present, and were already jealous of the large crowd that had come to hear Paul and Barnabas speak, began to stir up all the influential religious women, and all the city leaders, who, in return, were successful in inciting a mob against Paul and Barnabas, and they ran the two of them out of town. It proved to be a day of trying times for the two men, during their first and only recorded missionary journey together.
Anyone who is suffering feels forsaken. It is a natural reaction to pain. For the “natural man” (man without GOD), love can only be expressed in gifts, and, what he considers to be, good things. In our “natural” way of thinking, we have a hard time seeing any painful experience as a “love gift” from GOD that is intended only to make us stronger, so that we can be better used to serve HIM, and, to serve our fellowman. Here in this passage, verses 14-16, when Israel complains to GOD, He doesn’t bother to explain again why HE has disciplined them through suffering. Here HE simply says to them, that HE has not, and will not, forsake them.
GOD’ s goal is to mold us into being the very best that we can be, because HE wants us to be able to prove to the world, through our behavior, that Christianity, when taken serious by its practitioner, really does produce the best men and women. HE wants us to be a “light” to the world that can safely draw all men out of the “darkness” of sin’s domination.
In the book of Hebrews, as it is expressed in chapter 1, verse 3, in the original Greek, the word the author uses for “brightness” is “apaugasma” (ap-ow-gas-mah). In this verse, we see the only time in scripture that this particular word is used to translate brightness. Here it describes a light source that reflects upon another object, and thereby, brings light to it. Here also, it is used as a way of describing JESUS CHRIST and HIS effect on the darkness of the world. JESUS the SON, reflects GOD the FATHER’s OWN glory to the likes of man, and HE represents an “exact copy”, or “express image” of GOD HIMSELF. In other words, JESUS reflected GOD’s OWN character precisely, first to the Jews, and then later, to the Gentiles.
Once JESUS had brought light to the Jews, they were, in effect, commissioned by GOD for a second time to be a light to the rest of mankind. And we see here in the book of Isaiah that the Jews had already failed GOD in their first commission (Isaiah 49: 6). The phrase “A light to the nations” is the Isaianic phrase that is most closely associated with the “servant” and his saving significance for the world, however, the term “My Salvation” is the most familiar of all Isaianic terms as it is seen as an act of “Divine Intervention” on behalf of justice and peace in the world.
As Christians, we must eventually conform to accept and demonstrate the same “servant attitude” that JESUS demonstrated during HIS three-year earthly ministry. We should allow HIS examples and character to reflect on us, so that, in turn, we can reflect our imputed light, on someone else. And we should always keep in mind, that, it is the light of the SERVANT’s message, and the GODly image that we reflect to others through our behavior, that will effectively make us attractive to those who are lost in the darkness of sin and death, and sorely need to be rescued into GOD’s OWN glorious kingdom.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


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Friday, January 14, 2011

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 16, 2011

REASSURANCE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
(GOD, WHO is our FATHER, knows best)
(Isaiah 48)

In Isaiah 48 verses 1-11, the LORD speaks through HIS prophet Isaiah of a future time when Judah would be held in captivity in Babylon. It is something that would not occur for another 150 years. Yet, the Almighty GOD uses these prophecies to glorify HIMSELF, by telling HIS people ahead of time, just what HE would make happen in the not too distant future, because HE didn’t want HIS work to be accredited to idols. In making these predictions, GOD sought to separate HIMSELF from all of the idol gods that had, and would in the future, successfully penetrate the minds of HIS people.
Here, GOD tells Judah that her blatant hypocritical lifestyle, of wanting to serve, both HE, and their worthless idols, would not change, even after HE turns them over to Nebuchadnezzar to serve a 70-year punishment in captivity in Babylon in the year 586 B.C. GOD knew how stubborn and obstinate the Israelites were, and HE knows how stubborn and obstinate Christians are today. HE knows that our necks are unbending and that our heads are as hard as bronze. We have been rebels since the dawn of creation, and most of us will rebel against GOD all the way to the grave.
However, in verse 9 of this passage GOD says that, for HIS OWN sake, not ours, and for the honor of HIS name, HE will hold back HIS anger and not wipe us out completely. Instead, HE has chosen to refine us through suffering, and also, to rescue us from ourselves. And at that time, we will not be able to give credit for our salvation to anyone or anything, but HIM.
In the ancient times, as well as today, spiritual blindness was, and is, prevalent in the world among all peoples. Most people credit gracious, distinctive acts of GOD in their lives to “luck”, “our own genius”, or, “our own hard work”. We have no sense of GOD’s hand in our lives, and we are not responsive to HIS favor, nor, do we acknowledge the works of HIS hand in the world around us.
Verses 1-11 serve as a contrasting backdrop for the “grace” of GOD that is exhibited in the remainder of this chapter (and particularly in verse 17). We see in verses 12-22 a dramatic shift takes place, as GOD, once again, reassures HIS rebellious people of HIS intent to always be available to redeem us from our iniquities when we repent, no matter how hard we try over and over again, to destroy ourselves.
G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “For whatever is or is not true, this one thing is certain, we are not what we were meant to be”. We are that which was created, and, we are the benefactors of the brilliance and largesse of the CREATOR. Men and women were made by GOD to exercise dominion over the works of HIS hands, here on earth. But instead, we have become creatures who are frustrated by our own self-imposed circumstances, who are defeated by our temptations, and, who are surrounded by our own weaknesses.
And so, it is into this seemingly hopeless situation that GOD sent us HIS only begotten SON, so that whosoever believes in HIM, will not perish, but rather, will have everlasting life. And then, HE makes it possible for us to overcome an otherwise, saddened and doomed state of existence, and at the same time, help us to understand and become what we ought to be.
GOD’s divine moral laws were not given to us by HIM just to frustrate our “natural” human desires, and it is ridiculous for us to think such a thing. GOD set certain divine standards for us, in order to show us, just how far we are from what HE intended for us to be. HE wants to show us that, because we share HIS nature, we can be both good, and happy too. What we can’t be is bad and happy, and that’s something that we have already proven to ourselves long ago. When we let GOD’s word direct us in the way that we should go, we can experience a peace that goes well beyond our own understanding. And, we can experience that peace, not just in the millennial kingdom to come, GOD says (verse 18), that we can experience it right here, and right now, in this day, here on earth.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


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Friday, January 7, 2011

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 9, 2011

THE ONE TRUE GOD
(The only wise GOD, our SAVIOR through JESUS CHRIST)
(Isaiah 45)

The sovereignty and uniqueness of GOD is a recurring theme throughout the book of Isaiah. It is rife with divine declarations by GOD, such as, “I AM”, “I will”, “I AM the LORD”, “I AM the ONE, and “There is no other”. Here in Isaiah 45, that theme seems to resonate much more rapidly than perhaps, in any other chapter of this prophetic book.
In the opening lines of Isaiah 45, verses 1-3, two vivid prophecies concerning GOD’s plans for the great Persian king, Cyrus, serve as a segue to several more statements in verses 5-7, regarding HIS uniqueness as being the Almighty GOD of the universe. Here, we also see GOD’s clear condemnation of anyone who may dare to challenge HIS claim of absolute control over all things. The very fact that GOD communicated this message through HIS prophet, Isaiah, over 150 years in advance, surely separates HIM from all the idol gods, that even HIS very OWN chosen Israelites, had began giving homage to.
It is historically unlikely that Cyrus had ever even heard of YAHWEH, the GOD of the Israelites, because, at that time in history, the Israelites were one of the least among the many nations in his empire. And it is even more unlikely that Cyrus had ever communicated with any of GOD’s prophets in the past. Yet, GOD would choose this ungodly king to fulfill HIS OWN purpose, which was to secure the release the Israelites to return to their homeland following their 70-year time of punishment and captivity in Babylon.
In the Hebrew, the word translated in verse 8 as “righteousness” is “tsedek”, and, in this particular occurrence, as in Isaiah 41:2, it means “victory”. The word “salvation” here in this same verse, is from the Hebrew word “yesha”. Both of these words point to a “spiritual prosperity” that can only come from GOD. As believers, we gain “victory” through our “surrender” to CHRIST JESUS by accepting the free gift of “salvation”. And, as obedient believers, we celebrate our “victory” over sin and death, and are able to walk in the “righteousness” of CHIST JESUS for the remainder of our lives here on earth.
And so we see that neither of these words is used in their normal abstract sense in this instance, but rather, they refer to concrete realities that are as visible as the sky above, and as tangible as the earth that we walk on every day. They are both “distinctive acts of GOD”, not unlike what HE continues to use today, in our world of lost humanity, to conquer evil, and, to re-establish the peace that was long ago forfeited by the sins of man, beginning with Adam and Eve.
Through these divine acts of intervention, GOD would re-establish order, where there was now chaos. HE would remove HIS beloved Israel from a mostly oppressive captivity in Babylon, back into the serenity of their own inherited homeland, and then, HE would re-build a new, more beautiful Jerusalem, from out of the ruins of a city, long ago rendered ugly, by the adulterous acts of its chosen inhabitants.
And finally, verses 14-25 comprise a collection of prophecies declaring a monotheistic theme that is in keeping with the word of GOD throughout. Gentiles, as well as Jews, will all bow down to the only wise GOD in the end. And just because a person doesn’t believe in GOD, does not mean that GOD does not exist. Unfortunately, according to this passage, many proud unbelievers will have to be permanently bound for hell, in chains, before they finally acknowledge that GOD the FATHER of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST is the only GOD.
As it is expressed in the New Living Translation of the Christian Bible, after the LORD had called all the unbelievers to court to state their case, GOD sums up HIS OWN argument with this claim of being “The only true GOD”. There HE states, in verses 21b-23, that, “For there is no other GOD but ME, a just GOD and a SAVIOR, no, not one! Let all the world look to ME for salvation! For I AM GOD; there is no other. I have sworn by MY OWN name, and I will never go back on MY word: Every knee will bow to ME, and every tongue will confess allegiance to MY name”.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


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