A grandfather tells why one chapter of the Bible is so special . Isaiah 53 Easter 1998

Seventy years ago, My wise old Grandmother offered me a football ( match 11 ) if I would learn one chapter of the Bible. I readily agreed, for I longed to have my first full-size football. It cost her five shillings, the equivalent then of thirty loaves of bread. I don’t know where she got that amount

I memorised Isaiah 53, and recited it ( without a pause even for a breath, it seemed, ) at a youth rally.

Ten years later, I badly wanted to be sure that the bible was true. If it were true, I must read it and love the Lord Jesus. If it were not true, I would never read it. Foolishly, I thought to throw it through my window. I determined to get to the truth. I had no one to talk this through in a country town.

As I began to read my Bible, God reminded me what I had learned as a young fellow. Amazed, it all came back to me. I read it over and over again, feeling compelled to search. It was still fresh in my memory.

This is what I read:

This Person had a virgin birth, humble beginning and grew as a normal boy. ( verse 2 )

Men despised and rejected this good Person. ( V2 ) I felt for Him.

He carried our griefs, and bore our sorrows. ( v3 ) Was I in debt to Him?

He was wounded for our transgression ( going against God ). He was bruised for our deep rottenness.

He was flogged, but our healing followed because of His wounds. ( v5)

This spoke of the cross, where God’s dear Son died bearing all my sin.

‘When was all this written’, I thought.? 673 years before Jesus was born, was the date in my Bible.

It could not have been imagined or forged, for no one had been crucified until 300 years later.

My hard heart softened when I knew that God sacrificed His Son for me. . .

Then I read " All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way’. So I knew this was true of me, ( v6 ) for I had strayed from God’s path.

I thought of Jesus before Governor Pilate as I read, " He was oppressed. He was afflicted.. Yet He opened not His mouth." ( v7 )Pilate could not understand that He was silent when His freedom hung on this. ‘ He was taken from prison and from judgment’ reminded me how Jesus had four false trials on that night. He did not receive a just hearing – nor a just sentence. The crowd wanted Him on the cross.

I further read that " He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death " ( v9), recalling how Jesus died with two bad men ( one found peace ) and was buried in the grave of wealthy Joseph of Arimathea. This accurate detail fascinated me, written six hundred plus years beforehand.

I could not follow why ‘ it pleased the Lord to bruise Him, to put Him to grief’ until I knew that Jesus had died to save me…..and all who would love Him.. That made sense to me.

I was surprised to read’ He was numbered with the law-breakers’ for He was crucified with 2 thieves. ‘He interceded ( or prayed ) for them, when He cried ‘Father, forgive them’. ( v12 )

Sixty years ago I bowed before my God and said, ‘Yes, I am a sinner . I repent. Please forgive me". He did and has been my constant Friend and Saviour ever since.

I wanted you to know why your Grandfather loved that chapter so much, for I found the peace of God, which I long for you to enjoy also.

Will you ask the Lord Jesus to be your personal Saviour this Easter 1998 – and follow him until you are 20, 40, 60 or even 80 years old You will read this chapter this Easter, won’t you!

Your Grandma joins me in our prayer and love for you Grandpa.

Ps. My Grandma in heaven knows what a good investment that five shillings was!