My Corner Online

Isaiah 53:1-3

See index to the 2023 Lenten study

March 4 - 10, 2023

53:1 Who has believed? (Rejection); the arm of the Lord revealed (the revelation, or how God makes Himself known to us, is on the cross) (The arm of the Lord is a picture of His strength, power, and might)

53:2 Young plant (tender, weakness, as opposed to a mighty tree); dry ground (hard to grow; discouraging; poverty; God will sustain Him); no form or majesty (the King does not look like a king); no beauty to be desired (no physical attractiveness)

53:3 Despised and rejected by men; sorrows (His sorrow was for others and not self-pity), grief; people hid from Him (withdrew from Him), not esteemed (valued)

Catechism: Second article. What does this state of humiliation mean for our understanding of Jesus' life? Jesus, as our Brother, shared our very real human feelings and struggles. Humiliation: a painful loss of pride, self-respect, and dignity, degrade, demean, bring low, cast down, take down a peg, discount, cut down to size. Jesus did not always use His divine attributes and took on the form of a Servant; humbled Himself, Hidden glory, obedient even to death on the cross.

Catechism (3 & 4): First article. What is God doing about all the suffering and death in the world? God does not let evil to have the final word. Christ took all of our suffering into Himself. By His death, Christ overcomes our suffering and death. In His resurrection from the death, Christ gives eternal life to all who trust in Him, even to those who are suffering.