Let's revisit Isaiah 53. It's a very popular passage in Christianity, so let's take a deeper look.
1- What are some expectations you had for 2020 that have not turned out like you had hoped?
READ Isaiah 53:1
2- Here, Isaiah is discouraged by the fact that no one in Israel has listened to his words from God. How have you dealt with unmet expectations in 2020? Why do you think you have responded in that way?
READ Isaiah 53:2-3
3- Now, Isaiah turns toward the prophetic portion of this chapter. He is talking about Jesus. After hearing this, how do you think you would have reacted if you had been alive in the 1st century and seen Jesus as a human? Would you have expected great things from him? Why or why not?
4- Look again at verse 3. How did people in the 1st century treat Jesus? Knowing that he looked unimportant, but promised to be the Messiah, why do you think he was treated like that?
5- Have you ever thought of Jesus in a similar way as verse 3 because he didn't do something in the way you expected?
READ Isaiah 53:4-6
6- Put yourself in the shoes of Jesus' accusers. They were Jewish people who would have studied these verses, yet they did not connect Jesus' suffering with the sacrifice depicted here. What are some things in your life that might need you to look at again and change your perspective?
7- Re-read verse 5. In what ways might the sacrifice of Jesus heal you from the wounds of unmet expectations, disappointments, and hurts in this year?
8- As you see a community, a country, and a world that is in need of healing in so many ways, how can you offer a remedy to their wounds this week? What habits can you try to instill in yourself now that will help others see the remedy for their wounds?
9- Verse 6 encourages us that even though we fail and falter, Christ took the punishment for us. How does that encourage you to attempt the things you decided on in the last question?
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