“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:9-14)
It was the ultimate
arrival
by the ultimate
person
for the ultimate
task
to win the ultimate
victory.
He was like no
other,
God in the
flesh.
He was the
Word,
God’s living message of
salvation.
His arrival was God’s glory
on display.
He was God’s ultimate
gift,
all of the hope that what sin had
broken
would finally be
repaired,
that people would finally be reconciled
to God,
all of these hopes
rested on his
shoulders.
He came willingly
humbly
knowing
he would not just
preach
the desperate need for a
sacrifice,
he would himself be that
substitutionary
justifying
forgiving
reconciling
restoring
renewing
sacrifice.
In every moment of every
situation
trial
location
relationship
the perfection of his glory
shined.
There had never been anyone
like him
full of grace
full of truth.
It was the ultimate
arrival
by the ultimate
person
for the ultimate
task
to win the ultimate victory.
Yet on this ultimate
arrival
one of the saddest things ever
written
was recorded
with these heartbreaking
words:
“He came to his own,
and his own people
did not receive him.”
“Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.”
(Isaiah 53)
God bless,
Paul David Tripp
Reflection Questions
1. Recall a time when you were eagerly awaiting the arrival of someone—a spouse, child, parent, or friend—after a long period of absence or distance. Why were you so excited? How did their presence improve your life?
2. Consider all the ways in which the arrival of Christ radically changed your life. How is he the ultimate gift? Be specific and count those blessings.
3. Re-read Isaiah 53 and review the list of sacrifices Jesus bore for you. How does this make his arrival all the more significant? What should your response be?
4. In what ways have you rejected, despised, or not received Christ? Not in terms of salvation, but in that you are not fully submitting to his lordship in every area of your life? What are you withholding from him as King over your heart?
5. How can you draw closer to your Savior this Easter season? Do you have plans to meditate and celebrate on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter? What can you do to make this the biggest celebration of your year?