Lent Devotion | Day 12

Isaiah 53:9 (NIV)

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

This verse is a verse of juxtapositions, defined as, “two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect". Jesus was holy yet had a grave with the wicked. He was poor yet buried with the rich. He was dealt with violently and died a most cruel death yet had done no violence. He was falsely accused with lies and slander yet no deceit was in his mouth.

Jesus offers us a similar path today; in order to live, we must die; in order to walk in light, we must leave the darkness; in order to win (salvation), we must lose (self-righteousness). It boils down to a battle of wills, God’s will against mine. This is the ultimate juxtaposition. Jesus knew this all too well when he said in Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Knowing what was ahead, Jesus chose to be obedient to death on a cross over his own will.

This Lenten season submit your will to the Father’s will and be obedient too.