In Isaiah 53, we saw how Messiah went through a whole array of sufferings. What He had accomplished through His sufferings should stimulate positive responses from those He had redeemed through HIs works. Though Isaiah did not specify who he was addressing, we conclude that he was addressing the redeemed of the Lord. In both Isaiah 35:10 and 51:11, he said that the redeemed of the Lord shall return to Zion with everlasting joy upon their heads. This message of Isaiah though spoken to Judah is also meant for us the church of Jesus Christ today, for we Christians are the redeemed of the Lord. Ephesians made it clear that Christ has lavished His love on us, redeemed us, and made us sons and daughters of God.
Prior to what Messiah had done, Judah was likened to a barren, infertile
woman. She was sent into exile in Babylon. And in captivity, her population
dwindled and decreased in number. But the situation had changed since Messiah’s
accomplished work, she had been redeemed. And the number of the redeemed would
increase. So Judah was called to anticipate the result and be joyful.
This
is prophetic of the church. It tells us that the family whom Christ’s finished
work has redeemed will increase. For the message of hope in the Messiah will
spread across the nations and give birth to numerous spiritual babies. This will
bring an increase to the family of the redeemed. So the call is for the church
to have an enlarged vision. For the message of redemption will spread across
the nations even to remote cities of the earth, bringing in people into the kingdom that Christ has established at His first coming.
Beloved,
our calling into God’s kingdom is not just to touch it but to enlarge it. What
are we doing to collaborate with Christ to enlarge the family? Let us bring our
resources to the work God has called us to do. Be they our time, talents, or
treasures, we must be willing to offer them to the Lord for the expansion of
His Kingdom. We must take part in the programs of Kingdom building!
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