Who Has Believed?

January 7-8, 2014 - Who Has Believed? – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 53:1 “Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal His saving power?” (NLT) “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (KJV)

I often wonder about what this verse actually meant until I did some research and I realized that there were some references between the New Testament and the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit encourages me to study about, “The Suffering Messiah” through the Word of God and that we would come to appreciate our relationship with our Messiah.

This chapter of Isaiah 53 continues to speak of the Messiah, Jesus, who would suffer for the sins of all people. Such a prophecy is astounding (to fill with puzzled wonder)! Who would believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble, suffering servant rather than a glorious king? The idea is contrary to human pride and worldly thinking. But God often works in way we don’t expect. The Messiah’s strength is shown by humility, suffering and mercy.

Although Jesus is God’s Messiah, many would not choose to believe in Him and would therefore fail to receive the salvation of the Lord. It was prophecy in John 12:37-38 NLT “But despite all the miraculous signs He had done, most of the people did not believe in Him. This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “Lord, who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal His saving power?”

John 12:39-40 NLT “But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said, “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts—so their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let Me heal them.”

John 12:41-43 NLT “Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he made this prediction, because he was given a vision of Messiah’s glory. Many believe, including some of the Jewish leaders, believed in Him. But they wouldn’t admit it to anyone because of their fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.” [This will carry on to the next Manna]

Paul had studied the Isaiah 53 and he was aware that some of the people would not believe the full Gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:16-17 NLT “But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news—the Good News about Christ.” Many of us have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ through someone that “Jesus Saves!” Let’s share the Gospel to others who have not heard about Jesus saves.

Song: Jesus Saves!

1. We have heard the joyful sound:

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Spread the tidings all around:

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Bear (bring) the news to every land;

Climb the steeps and cross the waves;

Onward! ‘tis the Lord’s command:

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

(Priscilla Jane Owens, Sing His Praise)