The Great Exchange, Isaiah 61:1-3,
When we look at this great passage of scripture we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together in unity for one purpose: That He may be glorified…
Our focus today is on the promises of the coming Savior, v. 3:
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified…” Is 61:1-3
It is the Father’s glory and joy to do these things for us. Consider the story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus…
These were dear friends of Jesus whom He loved, and yet when Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He did not come to his aid but waited for His death, that we would see the glory of God. Lazarus’ body was four days dead, wrapped in the grave clothes along with heavy spices. A heavy stone covered the tomb to try to hide the stench of decaying death. None of this could deter or hinder the mission Jesus was on. He told Martha to have the stone removed.
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
He who was dead came out, bound from his head to his feet, wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go.”
He was no longer dead but alive in Christ. A new creation.
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,..”
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved),..”
We were just as dead as Lazarus in our sin. Wrapped in the grave clothes of death, helpless to do anything for ourselves. Held captive in a grave with the stench of sin. Until Jesus called us by name and we exchanged beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness…That He may be glorified.
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, And I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels.” Rev.3:5
Thank you Jesus for taking us from death to life in the great exchange…
John 11:38-44, 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 2:1-10, Col. 3:10
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