"Live Now ... and Forever"

Isaiah 52:13-55:13
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, Nov. 26

Our final lesson falls within a section of Isaiah known for defining the Messiah’s prophetic and priestly functions. The word “servant” occurs many times and references the fact that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that was slain to redeem God’s people.

The Lord, through His prophet, is exhorting His people, who would be living in exile, to pay attention and respond in repentance and faith to His offer of forgiveness. This offer issued to them is still offered to us through the finished work of Christ on the cross.

You see, the people of the Old Testament were saved by faith looking ahead to the cross. The people of the New Testament were saved by faith by looking back at the cross. God’s culminating work of redemption is seen by whosoever will look to Jesus alone for forgiveness and salvation. This fact is true for any generation, no matter when they existed.

God’s work for all the ages past, present, and future is found in looking to the Lordship of Christ! This whole theme of forgiveness is seen throughout our background passage as follows: 1) the person of forgiveness (52:13-53:12); 2) the announcement of forgiveness (54:1-17); and 3) the invitation to experience forgiveness (55:1-13).

Once again we will see how God’s offer, invitation, and guarantee of forgiveness is still true.

I. God’s offer: receive life to the max (55:1-5)

While we see that God’s offer of forgiveness is to everyone, we will also note that everyone is described as those “… that are thirsting.” The gospel is not so much a “whosoever will”, but “whosoever thirsteth” let him come to the waters and drink freely. (Note Rev. 22:17) The good news today is that whosoever is “thirsty” can come to Christ and be satisfied!

God’s call in this passage goes out to all the exiles and those of every generation. The fact of the matter is only the Lord can meet mankind’s need to be forgiven and restored to a proper relationship with God.

It is still good news that the one true God loves sinners and offers eternal life to all who will come to Him in faith and repentance.

It cannot be underscored enough that while we are reminding people of God’s offer of forgiveness that we also remind them that those receiving the forgiveness must do so in total self-abandonment of their personal sin and ability to earn their salvation. We cannot emphasize enough that those who answer God’s call to salvation do so through recognizing that they are “thirsty” and that they have “no money” to purchase what only God can give (55:1).

Therefore, receiving God’s offer of forgiveness maximizes life as God views it!

II. God’s invitation: turn now and be forgiven (55:6-7)

No one can come to God through Christ that is not willing to turn loose of his or her sin. We cannot lay hold to Christ while holding on to something else. The “something else” includes our personal sin.

In coming to Christ we must be willing to forsake both our “thoughts” and “ways.” This passage underscores that repentance is first and foremost a change of mind. Verse 8 tells us that this is a rational conclusion that our thinking and actions are contrary to God’s purpose for living life.

It further points out to us that a real conversion experience demands a change of our life beginning at the deepest part of our souls. Our minds, our wills, and our actions were affected when we received the forgiveness Isaiah is talking about!

I am personally concerned about any presentation of the gospel that does not communicate the fact that our thoughts and deeds clearly violate God’s laws. We must see that forsaking our sin is a necessity not an option!

Therefore, God’s invitation is only received by turning from our sin to trust God as soon as possible.

III. God’s guarantee: His promises won’t fail (55:8-13)

The point here is that we can never fully understand and appreciate the benefits of forgiveness until we understand our need to be forgiven. This passage tells us why we should appreciate our forgiveness.

We can appreciate God’s forgiveness because it is guaranteed. God’s promises are guaranteed because God cannot fail!

Verse 11 closes the deal on why His guarantee is true. God swears His guarantee on “His Word.” God’s Word is true and certain even in times when we don’t fully understand all that is happening. This is what the exiles are going to have to learn while in Babylon even though they would not be able to fully understand all of God’s thoughts and ways.

This is true when we trust God’s promises of forgiveness and restoration. The most difficult part of anyone’s personal salvation is coming to that place of total dependency upon the Lord and the abandonment of ourselves. We have to admit that we can’t do it and throw ourselves upon the mercy of God.

The good news of the gospel is that God stands ready to forgive any and all who repent of their sins and trust wholly upon the work of Christ on the cross!

In closing, remind your students this week of the truth that the Apostle Paul told the Philippian jailer when he asked Paul how to be saved: “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Christ is the fulfillment of every promise given the exiles in Isaiah’s day and to those who would be saved in our day! It is the only way we can live now … and forever!