Draw People to Him (Isaiah 53)

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. 

When I read this, I think back to watching The Passion movie. Every year, we read the story of Jesus’ Passion at Easter,  yet it wasn’t until I saw a movie depicting the abuse Jesus endured that it really stuck. Watching him endure the abuse for my offenses really brings to light God’s love for me. And now every Easter when we read the Passion section of the gospel aloud at Mass, it brings me to tears because I see the images in my mind. 

Through his suffering, our sins were forgiven. “By his stripes, we were healed.” Isaiah knew what would come. He prophesied the suffering of the Lord long before it would happen. He know the people would fall from God again and again. And sadly, even though we have the written stories, the world still, falls from God.  God used his only son to bring redemption to the world. He didn’t use a Hollywood actor (not that they had them back then), or someone as beautiful as Saul, David, or Joseph (all have descriptions of being handsome). He didn’t want people to be attracted to Jesus just because he looked good or was high fashion. He wanted their hearts to be turned because of the word. 

We have many places in the Bible where we are told we do NOT need to look extraordinary to help spread God’s word.  Remind yourself that you are just as worthy as anyone else to spread the gospel. We can’t be martyrs like Jesus, but we can use what God gifts has given us to draw people to him as Jesus did. 

1 Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

Proverbs 31:30-31 Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Reward her for her work let her actions result in public praise.