“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2, NIV)
The King of kings and the Lord of lords took on human flesh, and there was nothing about His appearance that would distinguish Him. His majesty was hidden. His appearance, if not neutral, would lead us to not be attracted to Him. Why such a lowly state for our Lord? We call this Jesus’ state of humiliation. This is the state in which He set His divine nature aside in order to be fully human. But why such a low state and status? Why born in a manger instead of a palace? Why not the outward appearance of a King Saul?
He took on the lowest state and status of humanity so that He might be the Savior for all humanity. Jesus took on this lowly state so that we would know that He came for us. He didn’t just come for the intellectually elite. He didn’t come just for the religious leaders. He came for the shepherds, the fishermen, the tax collectors, the harlots, and for you and me. He wants to be able to relate to the least of us so that the least of us (you and me) can relate to Him.
Take a close look at the Jesus in your imagination. Re-read Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 and see if their depictions of Jesus match the one in your imagination. In our brief look at Isaiah 53, let’s get to know the real Jesus more intimately.
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www.firmlyrooted.church
