The Great Opportunity (Isaiah 63)

Pastor Bob and Janet
Jan 20, 2019
3 min read

Isaiah prophesied there will be a future day of salvation, The Day of the Lord. Believers will no longer be bound by the Old Testament covenant of the law and sin, but they will be set free through the death and resurrection of Christ. That is magnificent news to every believer then and now. However, God is a just God, and He has deemed that there will be a Day of Vengeance as well. This is when his wrath against sin will be poured out onto those who do not believe. This day does not negate his love for every person ever born and those who are yet to be born. It is God's desire that all people come to know Him and the truth of His word (1 Tim. 2:4). Most people are uncomfortable with the wrath of God, so they tend to focus on God's love. Many refuse to to even acknowledge that a loving God would judge sin. The opposite is true. If there is no judgement, then why did Christ die? Judgement makes sense of Christ's death and resurrection.

I. The Day of Vengeance (vv. 1-6)

These verses speak of one coming from Edom, robed in splendor. He is the one who is able to save. His garments are splattered red like one who has been crushing grapes in a wine press.He alone brought salvation. This vivid word picture portrays God's Day of Vengeance and the Year of His Redemption; a time when Israel will be judge for disobedience. This day is also a foreshadowing of the end times, the Great Tribulation. God's wrath will be poured out on a disobedient and self-centered world. What is the answer to the future day of judgement? Loving-kindness and grace saves sinners from God's judgement of sin. God has made an offer to every sinner; a way of escape. That is the free gift of redemption from sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

II. The Sinner's Prayer (vv. 7-14)

Verses eight and nine outline salvation. Through suffering and affliction, with great love and compassion, Christ became our savior. However, just because Christ died, does not mean we automatically receive salvation. Salvation requires a response to Christ's death. This passage says that in our sinful rebellion, we grieve the Holy Spirit and we make God our enemy. However, when we respond appropriately to Christ's death for our sin, we turn away from self and ask God to forgive us. He will forgive us from every sin we have ever committed. And, even more great news, he will give us rest. The outcome of the sinner's prayer, asking God to forgive, is peace and rest. Jesus told his followers, as he tells us today, "Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). There is no rest in war. When we accept Christ, our war with God is over, and our rest is for now and through eternity. In the light of God's judgement and our salvation, shouldn't we be willing to go to our neighbors and the nation with a plea of salvation?

III. The Plea of Salvation

Verse 16 reminds us that if we belong to God, then he is our father and Our Redeemer is his name. Israel had strayed from God, and their hearts were hardened. Because of their rebellion, they were unrecognizable as God's children. They had lost God's name. How chilling that is to think of being so much like the world, we are unrecognizable as Christians. Sadly, that is true for many today. There is no real distinction between believers and unbelievers. Churches and individuals are not doing all they can to win the lost. We have a passionless pursuit of knowing Christ and winning the lost. We have lost the name of Christian because we have no moral distinction from the world. If the world says a sin is not that bad, we often agree, or we just remain silent. Do not let the world deceive, for whatever you reap, you will sow in return (Gal. 6:7). Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew (Gen. 25:33). He lost it all in the end. Do not trade your birthright as a child of God for temporary worldliness. Do all you can to keep the name of Christ, and share that name with the nations. Amen.