NOTES for Isa 49:4

The prophet Isaiah places incredible words in the mouth of the Messiah, words about defeat, about the work of the Messiah ending in failure. But this is precisely how the Gospel story looks from the human point of view. Christ preaches astonishing things, draws disciples to Himself... But His word is rejected, the disciples scatter, and He Himself dies the shameful death of slaves and bandits. All those who were healed and raised, who used Christ's gifts, remain somewhere offstage, and all His labors go into the sand. And we observe the same thing century after century in the history of His disciples. Everything they try to build collapses and becomes prey to all-consuming time. But this is from the human point of view. The prophet Isaiah discerns the main thing: in Christ God Himself enters the world, and therefore a miracle happens. The Messiah whose mission failed has risen, and therefore has conquered. This is how God conquers.

People wait for and seek a different victory. People suppose that Christ must solemnly enter Jerusalem, put everyone to shame, and reign. But He dies on the Cross. Therefore it is important for us to stop thinking about how things ought to be, how everything should happen, and to follow the Lord Jesus, not for the sake of abstract fruits of salvation, but for His own sake.