The Challenge of Recognizing God

Scripture Verses that caught my attention today: Isaiah 52:14-15 Just as there were many who were astonished at him
—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of mortals—
15 so he shall startle many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.

Observation: We often assume the prophet is speaking of Jesus in verses like this, and, to some degree, rightfully so. But the prophet also speaks of the ancient people of Israel as God’s unrecognizable son.

Application: This morning’s news included the story of two young women who were involved in a tragic automobile accident due to a tire blowing out on an SUV, causing it to roll several times. The women were best friends and the injuries to both were severe, so much so that their identities could not easily be determined. One of them died. Long story short? The family who was told that their daughter was dead, turned out to be the family of the daughter who was alive and visa-versa.

Tragic as this case may be, the truth is that appearances can be deceiving. Ancient Israel, in exile with its emotional tails between its legs, bore little resemblance to its former self. And Jesus on the cross hardly looked like anything more than the common criminals who hung next to him, much less the Savior of the world. Hence the startling news of his resurrection and the reminder that whatever we offer to the “least of these” (Matthew 25), we offer unto Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see you even when you look much different than I might expect. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Isaiah 50-52, Psalm 92, 2 Peter 1)