The Splendor of God
Splendor.
What comes to mind when you think of Splendor? It is not a word we use often. Sometimes in scripture it is used in reference to people (like in Prov 16:31), and others in reference to God (1 Chronicles 16 and 22:5; 20:9). It is a word that invokes awe and amazement.
So what is it that constitutes splendor? Majesty? It is primarily a matter of beauty and amazing light shows (as truly amazing as those are)? Displays of power? Or is there more?
This is what Isaiah invites to consider in Isaiah 52 and 53. Take a few moments to read through the passage at the right once again, and allow Isaiah to paint the picture in your mind of what God's splendor looks like. It is amazing in ways that are richer than anything that could be displayed visually.
Communion provides us with an amazing opportunity to celebrate the splendor of God. John 13 gives us a description of what splendor looks like when it is starting to be revealed. As we follow the story through the next several chapters, we see the full unveiling of the God's splendor. It was on the cross that the full glory of God was revealed, at least for those who have eyes to see. Communion is one way that remember and embrace the splendor of God, and being changed. live differently as a result.
If you would like to listen to the message once again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here. Take the time to allow yourself to be surrounded by an changed by the splendor of God.
Isaiah 52-53
(TNIV)
13
See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14
Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
15
so he will sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
53 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3
He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
4
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9
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.
10
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11
After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life[g] and be satisfied;
by his knowledge[i] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
