Journey to the Cross

Journey to the Cross from Scripture Union provides 5 daily readings (excluding weekends) for each of the six weeks in Lent. The readings are accompanied by a reflection question or two to help you "dig deeper" into the passage as you go through Lent.
Week One: His Saving Work Foretold | Day: 1

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Prayer
Lord, open my eyes and heart to read and obey Your word to me today.
Scripture
Isaiah 52:13—53:12 |

13 See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
15 so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 53

1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What parallels do you see in this passage with Jesus’ suffering and death?
Apply
What do you learn about Jesus here that might strengthen your faith? What do you learn about yourself?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, how amazed I am at all You did because of Your love for me. Strengthen my love for You.
Share
We encourage you to spread the word and share this with your family and friends.

If you like this, here's the link to Scripture Union's Journey to the Cross.

Mercy

Hi There! It has been much too long since I've posted here. God's slowing me down, in general, and working hard on me in a few areas. I'm, truly, learning a lot. God keeps bringing messages to me on two main areas:

1. Being a bondservant for Christ

2. Having mercy

Two very special areas, for me, to have spiritual growth. At any rate, I wanted to share a Daily Devotion site that I have grown to love. John MacArthur teaches straight from the word giving full credence to it's truth and our need for a living walk through faith while here on earth. I hope that you check it out. I am confident that you would be blessed by it.

Grace to You