“I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” Isaiah 50:6

Here we have another Messianic prophecy that predicted the abuse Jesus experienced at the hands of the religious leaders and Roman soldiers. Did I say religious leaders? I did! How could men who were so close to the Word of God miss who Jesus was? How could they not see that He was the very Word they claimed to believe in? How could they not see that He fulfilled all the Messianic prophecies we have been studying since the first of December? How could they inflict such pain on someone under the guise of religion? It is my contention that their religion was more about them than about God. They created a Judaism that virtually removed God (as He truly is) from their belief system. Hence, they were left with a belief system that was all about them. When Jesus challenged that system, He naturally faced their judgment and wrath.

The inherent danger in all religions, including Christianity, is that we make it about us. I call this making Christianity into our own image. Like the Jews of Jesus’ day, we could very easily create a Christianity that is less and less about Jesus and more and more about what we think and do. This happens when we water down and weaken the Word of God. When we feel it is necessary to explain what the Bible is really saying because our reason will not allow us to accept it at face value, we begin to create Christianity in our image.

It is time to let go of our self-righteous and self-centered religious principles and receive Jesus as He is. We need to look at a beaten and abused Jesus and see how far He was willing to go to win us back to Himself. See how much God loves you! Join me today in looking at our Christian faith. Let’s strip it of anything that is about us. Let’s make it about the One who saved us. Let’s believe in Him. Let’s love Him. Let’s worship Him.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church