Jesus to the rescue: Is 59:9-20

“Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, but behold, darkness, for brightness, but we walk in gloom. We grope along the wall like blind men, we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at midday as in the twilight, among those who are vigorous we are like dead men.” (Isaiah 59:9-10)

Isaiah, prophesying the Word of the Lord, gives a fitting summary to man’s experience on the earth. For sure, there have been some shinning moments, yet mankind’s six thousand year history has left much to be desired. Despite his high platitudes of peace on earth and the universal brotherhood of man, mankind has failed to produce any lasting peace and any real unity among the nations. We may have technology and wealth, yet morally and ethically, man is still the same sinner he was some six thousand years ago. Mankind is on a spiritual journey downward. Jesus, speaking of the later days, describes an age when the sins of man would increase to the detriment of all. Jesus said, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)

To make matters worse, not only is man on a downward spiral, but he is unable to stop his downward progress. “Now the LORD saw, and it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice. And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede.” (Isaiah 59:15-16) Mankind had become a slave to the sinful nature within him, and try as he may, he himself was unable to break free from his bondage. God looked to see if there was anyone who could bring about the salvation of mankind, anyone who could intercede on their behalf, yet He found no one.

Therefore, God decided to come Himself, to deliver mankind from their sins. “Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; and He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle… ‘A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,’ declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 59:16-17, 20) God accomplished what we could not, He came and paid the price for our sins and rose from the dead to secure our freedom from slavery. The name “Jesus” means, “Jehovah saves”. Jesus has saved us from our sin and has set us free from our sinful nature. What we could not do, Jesus has done.

David Robison