With His Wounds We are Healed
(ISAIAH 53:4-6)
 
Pause & Reflect
 
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
    and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
    smitten by God, and afflicted.

 

1. [v.4] *Biblical principle – HEALED FROM THE WEIGHT OF OUR WOUNDS – the load of carrying our own griefs: The pain of a wound eventually makes us grieve. Many times, that grief is even greater than the wound itself. Without Jesus, we end up carrying the griefs of our own wounds that spirals us into greater hopeless grief and sorrow. Yet the hope to God’s people then and now is the same – the Father has sent His exalted Son and our suffering servant to bear in His own body our griefs, to not only suffer with us but suffer in place of us! He carried our sorrows! Surely He has borne our griefs! Yet our self-inflicted wounds in grief do not esteem Jesus as our wound-carrier. In pride, our wounds still outweigh His wounds. His wounds appear to be caused by another.
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – When Saul (Paul) met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by a sudden light from heaven with the voice of Jesus that called out to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (ACTS 9:4). Saul had never persecuted Jesus. He had only been persecuting followers of Jesus. Yet why did Jesus say hurting His followers was no different than hurting Him too? What connection does Jesus have with our wounds and sufferings? How has the pain of a wound/suffering made you grieve and become sorrowful? Although wounds and sufferings persist in this life, what is the hope of healing offered in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – What happens when we continue carrying the load of our own griefs and sorrows? How can the sufferings of Jesus on the cross become distorted and unrelated to us when we continue to carry the weight of this life on our own? How is the root of our sickness not in our wounds/sufferings themselves, but the griefs and sorrows that grow out of them? How can we say with the late hymnwriter Horatio Spafford after a ship collision that killed all four of his daughters, “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul”?
   3. *FOCUS QUESTION #3 – Do you scale your sufferings against the sufferings of the Servant-Son Jesus Christ? Do yours outweigh His? What is so heavy, weighing you down so much, with a load that just won’t let up? And what is the hope you have as you hear the Lord Jesus say, “Let me carry them for you”? One Pastor said it this way – remember to HALT when you are (H) hungry for an appetite not given by God, (A) angry at someone Christ died for too, (L) lonely even when the Spirit indwells you, and (T) tired when there’s strength found by rejoicing in the Lord. How do you need to HALT, stop, cease, when those four things appear?

 
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.

 

1. [v.5] *Biblical principle – HEALED FROM BEING THE WOUNDER – with our transgressions and iniquities: Jesus not only heals us from the weight of our wounds, but the cause of His wounds – He was pierced for our sins, and equally pierced by our sins. No one can esteem Jesus without connecting His wounds to their sins. God’s people then could not make a connection between exalted Son of God and suffering servant for sinners. Likewise, anyone today can look at the cross of Christ with no significance, and the horrid sufferings of the crucified Jesus as just tragedy, trivial or historically impersonal. Yet Isaiah reveals the exact reason why Jesus had to be wounded – it was all for our sins. All have crossed God’s line (transgression). All have violated rightful duty with immoral conduct (iniquity). Jesus was not just pierced for us. He was pierced by us. We are the wounders. He not only stood in our place, He took our piercings. He received our penalty and our wounding to set us free!
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – Carrying the weight of our own lot will eventually pierce and crush us. There is no need to do this ourselves any longer, for Jesus was pierced and crushed for us, and even more – he was pierced by us. When Jesus took upon Himself what was meant to be our load, it brings us peace, healing, and life. Like a mother in labor whose belly needs to be pierced for a cesarean delivery to bring forth life, how have the piercings of Jesus brought forth your new life from the womb of heaven? Have you been born from the womb of heaven, born again of “water and the Spirit” (JOHN 3:5)? How is the life-giving nature of the Spirit treating your wounds? Are you letting Jesus be your wound-carrier?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – In our pursuit of healing, we often view ourselves as the wounded. Yet Jesus flips this viewpoint – He is the wounded while we are the wounders. This is not to say Jesus is in denial or immune to our wounds and sufferings. He desires for us to see from heaven’s perspective. Have you connected the piercings of Jesus with your wounding of Jesus? How is acknowledging our brokenness, transgressions, iniquities foremost the path to healing? Oftentimes, our desire for healing is tainted with a prideful right to deserve a life free of sufferings and wounds. But looking at what happened when Jesus took our place, what do we really deserve?    

 
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

 

1. [v.6] *Biblical principle – HEALED FROM GOING ASTRAY – like lost sheep but with a shepherd who lays our iniquity on Himself: The consequences of carrying our own wounds and staying wounders of Jesus, ourselves, and others is this – everyone turns to his own way. Sheep are prone to wander. It is their nature apart from the shepherd. So also it is our nature apart from the chief good shepherd Jesus. Unless the shepherd pursues, finds, and saves His lost sheep, the sheep are doomed to remain astray, hurt themselves and those around them. Unless Jesus first pursues, finds, and saves us, we are doomed to turn to our own way and stay wounders of Jesus, ourselves, and one another. Yet the good news is that Jesus has come, wounded by us but still pursuing us. When He finds us, He lays us on His shoulders to take us home. All of our iniquity is laid on His shoulders. What is left is only His joy in having found His lost sheep! He joyfully celebrates our return!
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – The natural person cannot discern the spiritual things of God. Their desires to be healed from their wounds and sufferings are astray. It is their own way and not the way of Jesus. Instead of letting our sufferings and wounds drive us to Jesus, how have we let them drive us to our own way without Jesus? Like sheep who are prone to go astray, how prone are we to leave the way of Jesus? When has keeping your wounds and griefs from sufferings kept you off the path of Jesus, who calls you to lay them on Him?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – How can Jesus heal you from going your own way? How does He bring you back to His way? Read the following Scriptures –
      1. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. (1 PETER 3:18)
      2. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 JOHN 1:9)
      3. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (JOHN 8:31-32)
      4. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. (PSALM 86:11-13)
      5. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. (PSALM 25:4-5)
      6. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 PETER 2:21-23)
      7. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 CORINTHIANS 12:9)
      8. My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (PROVERBS 4:20-23).

 
The central truth of this word was –
In order to be healed, we need to know what has made us sick. Jesus healed many who were sick –  the blind, the deaf, the lame, and even the dead. Yet their healing did not last when met with death – Lazarus, who was raised, had to die twice! Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (LUKE 5:31-32). The sick acknowledge their sinfulness. The sick desire their need for the physician. Anyone can desire healing, but not everyone desires the Great Physician. Jesus shows us that desiring Him is the only path to be healed eternally. Our wounds weigh heavy in this life. Yet the scars of Jesus tell us that they will heal one day and speak of His deliverance, love, and glory through us! Our wounds teach us to keep looking at His wounds, for He was pierced for our sins and by our sins. His wounds keep us from going astray from His way. His wounds declare that all wounds were laid upon His Son. His wounds give hope for His day, when all will say, “we are healed.”

– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
 
 
 
 

Holy Spirit Moment & Group Prayer
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray for one another.
 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
 
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)
 
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. (GALATIANS 6:2-5)
 
For the body does not consist of one member but of many... The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 CORINTHIANS 12:14, 21-27)

- Jeong’s (Jake, Amanda)
- Lee’s (Sam, Heidi)
- Deborah Ko
- Kristen Lee
- Patrick Liu
- Brian Pak
- Samuel Park
- Trey Reynolds
- Tyler Lee
- Edward Jeon
- Jeff Park
- Eunice Kim (UT Austin)
- Jedidiah Lim (Louisiana)
- Philip Oh
- Soo Nam (Dallas Police)
- Hana Lee
- Rachel Ko (preschool assistant)
- Hanna Kang
- Johann Lee
- Eugene Hong
- JR Reynolds
- Brian Joo
- Doug Kang
- James Han
- Winnie Kim
- Stacy Hong
- David An
- Daniel An
- Alice Jeon
- Ashley Min (UTD)
- Mike Choi (drummer, Jeff’s cousin)
- Eric Lee (UTD)
- Lisa Jeon
- Brian Yoon
- Jennifer Chung (UTA)
- June Kim (TWU)
- Hannah Kim (UT Austin)
- Hogan Lee (TCU)
- Steven Kwon (A&M)
- Benny Son (UT Austin)
- Esther Ko (UT Austin)
- Daniel Lee (UT Austin)
- Aaron Lee (Houston, postgraduate optometry)
- Matthew Ahn (UT Austin)
- Yura Ahn (UT Austin)
- Katie Han (New York)
- Emily Han (Austin)
- Jae Jung (Boston, MA)
- Hanbit Kang (Austin)

Behold, My Exalted Servant
(ISAIAH 52:13-15)
 
Pause & Reflect
 
13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
    he shall be high and lifted up,
    and shall be exalted.

1. [v.13] *Biblical principle – EXALTED IN WISDOM – Being God yet still an Obedient Servant: Jesus acted wisely as both exalted Son of God the Father and lowly servant to sinful humanity, obeying the Father’s will completely as His servant yet being high and lifted up as His exalted Son. Servants stay servants. They are never exalted to another status. They are slaves who carry no rights nor identity of their own, and their only purpose is to obey the Master’s command, who owns them. Yet this vulgar term of “servant/slave” is how God the Father describes His only Son. By acts of wisdom, His Servant-Son will be high and lifted up – a promotion and expression of worship only belonging to the LORD God Himself (Isaiah 6:1; 33:10; 57:15). In Jesus, we learn how to act wisely as both beloved sons/daughters of our Father yet obedient slaves to our Master. Controlled, submissive, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial wisdom begins in the two natures of Jesus in unity – exalted LORD yet humble servant to sinners.
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul writes about the future glory of God’s children, “and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (ROMANS 8:17). Even creation itself waits with eager longing for this to happen, “groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now” (ROMANS 8:22). This glorification of God’s children into God’s heirs – and co-heirs with Christ – is guaranteed, for “those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified” (ROMANS 8:30). From the beginning of creation – before sin entered the world – we were called not only to be beloved children of God, but glorified stewards with God to wisely rule over His creation as inheritors and co-inheritors of it with Christ, reflecting His image into the world (GENESIS 1:26-30). As Jesus acted wisely in His journey from obedient servant to exalted Son, how are you taking that same journey from suffering to glory today? For you, is there a costly suffering in following after Jesus? For you, is there wise stewardship in ruling over all He has entrusted to you (His gifts, His time, His resources, His family [parents, siblings, spouse, children], His church, His life[body, health, nurture] etc)? Although there is suffering before glory, is your heart thrilled with joy for this journey in which the present sufferings are not worth comparing, for “the glory that is to be revealed to us” (ROMANS 8:18)?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – Jesus held two natures in perfect union – the lowly servant of the Father to sinful mankind and the divine Son of the Father as savior of mankind. With His actions of wisdom, Jesus did not compromise both His natures of sinless humanity and exalted divinity. How can we learn godly wisdom from Jesus that is controlled, submissive, full of mercy, humble, fruitful, and impartial? How can we practically act in His wisdom today?

 
14 As many were astonished at you--
    his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
    and his form beyond that of the children of mankind--

1. [v.14] *Biblical principle – EXALTED IN APPEARANCE – Forever Marred as the Suffering Servant: One day every infirmity in our body will be perfectly restored to imperishable immortality (1 CORINTHIANS 15:53), but the body of Jesus will forever be marred with the scars of His great suffering to show that by His wounds, we have been healed (1 PETER 2:24). There was nothing in the appearance of Jesus that made Him attractive. “He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him” (ISAIAH 53:2). So much more undesirable will be the way His sufferings disfigured and marred His body beyond human semblance. It was not only His hands and side that were pierced, but His entire body during the beatings/scourging (LUKE 22:63-64; JOHN 19:1-3). Our scars will heal, but His scars forever remain to tell how much He loved us.
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – When Jesus brings the new heavens and new earth, we get new immortal bodies, perfectly restored without defect, pain, or tears. But why does Jesus’ body remain defective, scared, and marred forever – although it wasn’t that way before being sent to the earth? In this life, we will eventually pick up wounds that turn into scars. How can our scars become a beautiful, wonderful, and exalted appearance of Jesus’ scared face, legs, arm, back, chest, hands, feet, and thorn-pricked head?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – Both testaments of Scripture declare, “with his wounds we are healed” (ISAIAH 53:5), and “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 PETER 2:24). How is focusing on our wounds or wounding one another not the path to healing? What is the only path to wholeness in healing? How can we look off our wounds and onto His wounds?

 
15 so shall he sprinkle many nations.
    Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

1. [v.15] *Biblical principle – EXALTED IN VICTORY – King of kings shutting mouths of all kings: Even as a lowly suffering servant, forever marred in appearance, Jesus Christ is exalted to the highest place of victory above all earthly kings, rulers, and authorities, where every knee will bow and mouth will confess that He is LORD. Many nations are cleansed/sprinkled by Jesus’ faithful servanthood in being the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world. Some nations may still resist His cleansing work, but the kings of all nations will one day shut their mouths in awe of seeing and understanding Jesus as King of all kings. Whether believer or unbeliever, at the name of the Servant-King Jesus, every knee – including the devil – must bow and every tongue must confess in heaven and on earth and under the earth, that Jesus Christ is Lord (PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11).
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – For God, the way up comes by first taking the way down. When the divine Son obeyed completely His eternal Father’s will to be His servant to sinners, the Father exalted His Son to such an eternally high place that no knee could ever remain unbowed, nor tongue ever remain silent that Jesus Christ is LORD (PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11). Usually, a reaction of shock comes by utter silence or scream out of fear, or sheer excitement and joy out of thankfulness. Which reaction is yours today when you behold Jesus daily in Word and prayer? Which reaction will be yours on that great and awesome day when He renews all things, bringing the new heavens, the new earth, and gifts us new bodies to reign with Christ forever?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – In what ways do we need to close our mouths? In what ways do we need to confess with our mouth? What kind of mind and mouth did Jesus have? Read the following Scriptures –
      1. So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11)
      2. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 PETER 1:13)
      3. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (PHILIPPIANS 4:8)
      4. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (COLOSSIANS 3:2)
      5. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (ROMANS 8:5-6)
      6. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 CORINTHIANS 10:5)

 
The central truth of this word was –
Are you beholding this Servant and exalting in His wisdom, appearance, and victory over all of life? Jesus is not your slave to serve your selfish purposes. He is King and LORD, serving God the Father’s purpose to cleanse you and draw near to you. So Jesus drew near by wearing the full vulnerability of frail humanity, wearing the fullness of our sin and shame in our place before the wrath of God the Father against all ungodliness throughout the ages. By His actions of wisdom to draw near to our lowly place, the Father exalted Him to the highest place. Now the scars of Jesus forever retained in His body will forever speak of how our suffering Savior loved us to the end. So behold, the LORD’s Servant! Let Him be high and lifted up! Let His wisdom indwell you! Let His scars heal you! Let His cleansing flow touch you! Let His Word cause you to see, to understand what has been spoken of our Servant-King!

– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
 
 
 


Holy Spirit Moment & Group Prayer
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray for one another.
 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
 
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)
 
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. (GALATIANS 6:2-5)
 
For the body does not consist of one member but of many... The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 CORINTHIANS 12:14, 21-27)
 
- Jeong’s (Jake, Amanda)
- Lee’s (Sam, Heidi)
- Deborah Ko
- Kristen Lee
- Patrick Liu
- Brian Pak
- Samuel Park
- Trey Reynolds
- Tyler Lee
- Edward Jeon
- Jeff Park
- Eunice Kim (UT Austin)
- Jedidiah Lim (Louisiana)
- Philip Oh
- Soo Nam (Dallas Police)
- Hana Lee
- Rachel Ko (preschool assistant)
- Hanna Kang
- Johann Lee
- Eugene Hong
- JR Reynolds
- Brian Joo
- Doug Kang
- James Han
- Winnie Kim
- Stacy Hong
- David An
- Daniel An
- Alice Jeon
- Ashley Min (UTD)
- Mike Choi (drummer, Jeff’s cousin)
- Eric Lee (UTD)
- Lisa Jeon
- Brian Yoon
- Jennifer Chung (UTA)
- June Kim (TWU)
- Hannah Kim (UT Austin)
- Hogan Lee (TCU)
- Steven Kwon (A&M)
- Benny Son (UT Austin)
- Esther Ko (UT Austin)
- Daniel Lee (UT Austin)
- Aaron Lee (Houston, postgraduate optometry)
- Matthew Ahn (UT Austin)
- Yura Ahn (UT Austin)
- Katie Han (New York)
- Emily Han (Austin)
- Jae Jung (Boston, MA)
- Hanbit Kang (Austin)

How Beautiful are the Feet that bring Good News
(ISAIAH 52:7-12)
 
Pause & Reflect
 
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” 8 The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion.

​

1. [v.7-8] *Biblical principle – Beautiful Feet carrying Beautiful News – The beautiful news of God’s reign and coming peace – ultimately through Jesus Christ – makes even the feet of those who carry it beautiful. As was then and likewise today, the most difficult part of the body to keep clean were feet. Even Jesus said, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet” (John 13:10). So feet became synonymous to the dirtiest part of the body. Yet even this dirtiest part is made the most beautiful part when carrying the beautiful news of the gospel. God had just promised His name would be known to His people in their oppression and His presence would be assured for them (verse 6). Now the portrait of a messenger running across the mountains and bringing this news to His people is in view. The news is that God reigns, and all things will fall in their proper relation to His reign. There will be peace and joy. Ultimately, this is Jesus Christ. From head to toe, you are beautiful because You carry Him. So be sent! Preach so others may hear (Romans 10:14-15)!
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – After Jesus miraculously raised Lazarus from the dead, his sisters Mary and Martha hosted a dinner for Him. During the meal, Mary rose, took a pound of expensive ointment, and “anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (JOHN 12:3). At the feet of Jesus, what are your feet bringing to Him with a thankful heart? At the feet of Jesus, what is your fragrance that fills His house? Is it a pleasing aroma or an unpleasant odor? Why are even the feet of Jesus the place to encounter His powerful love and our whole-hearted surrender?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – The beautiful news that turns even our smelly foot into an aromatic fragrance is the “good news of happiness… ’Your God reigns.’” How is God’s ordered reign in us through His only Son as our Savior and LORD a happy thing? How does this reign of God in Christ define what “happiness” is? Why must this happiness touch every part of us – from head to toe – from emotions of the heart to emotionless decisions of the mind?

 
9 Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

1. [v.9-10] *Biblical principle – Active Feet exposing His Holy Arm – The LORD’s holy arm is connected to our swift feet. He uncovers His holy arm of strength – ultimately Jesus Christ –   through the active feet of His joyful people. Both the feet of the watchmen and messengers are moving, waiting with readiness, and rejoicing at the news of God’s reign and coming peace. As they break forth into singing and gladness, they declare the promises of God – that He has truly comforted His people, and that He has exposed His holy arm for all to see their salvation. When the beautiful news of God’s reign, comfort, and strength are exposed into our hearts, it will begin to move our feet to joy. Through our active feet, His beautiful message spreads. Through our active feet, every eye sees the salvation, strength, and Savior from God – Jesus Christ. Our feet can either expose or conceal the holiness of God’s strong arm at work. Let us prepare our feet for action and move as the LORD directs us!
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – Active feet move around. Where are your feet in motion? Where are they in standstill? In what ways can your feet be swift for your mouth to break forth into singing that the Lord has comforted and redeemed His people?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – Active feet get noticed. All eyes will see the salvation of God that is brought to them by the swift feet of His messengers. What are you getting noticed for? Is the holy arm of the Lord’s work being noticed? Or is the work of your own arm getting the attention?
   3. *FOCUS QUESTION #3 – Active feet create paths on inactive ground. Jerusalem was a wasteland of a ground to return to after 70 years in exile. Many decided to stay in the idolatrous land of Babylon. Yet the faithful remnant returned to the promised land in Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls and ruined temple. Are your feet creating God’s paths for ruined ground? Or is your desire to only walk on the red-carpet runways of life? How is God calling you to go into wasted places, situations, and hardships to be the activity of His holy arm at work?

 
11 Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the Lord. 12 For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

1. [v.11-12] *Biblical principle – Clean Feet departing Unclean Things – Jesus’ cleansing flow must touch the dirtiest part of our lives – even the feet – transforming us from head to toe, so that we might depart to walk with the LORD who goes before us and guards behind us. As God’s people received the beautiful news of God’s return to reign in them with His peace, they were commanded to depart from the impurity and uncleanliness around them. In that time, this was the departure from exile in the foreign idol-worshipping land of Babylon. The LORD says their departure will not be in haste or as in flight, but carefully guided by Him. This exit from exile is the portrait of Jesus’ cleansing flow through the cross and resurrection. He has cleansed our feet to depart with our feet. We are called to depart unclean things, to purify ourselves with His blood. Our feet now become His feet that do not move in haste or flight, but in step with His leading. He guards from behind and goes on ahead!
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – It is time to go. The exile is over. Get up on your feet! Depart from this idolatrous land! Can you hear the voice of the LORD? How are you staying behind? How are you hurrying in haste? How are you timidly in flight? Are you mindlessly stepping in dirty puddles again, or have your feet learned to skip, hop, jump, and depart?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – What are we to depart from? Where are we to go to? Read the following Scriptures –
      1. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (JAMES 4:7-10)
      2. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 TIMOTHY 2:22)
      3. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (1 CORINTHIANS 6:18)
      4. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 PETER 5:6-11)
      5. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm… and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (EPHESIANS 6:12-13, 15)
      6. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. (PROVERBS 18:10)

 
The central truth of this word was –
If you have listened up, wakened up, sobered up, drunken up the filling of His Spirit, dressed up with His holy garments – now it’s time to move your beautiful feet! The beautiful news of God’s reign in Jesus Christ bringing final peace, deliverance, and joy is carried on your feet and indwelling your heart! His news transforms the dirtiest of feet into the most beautiful of them. He has readied your feet to be swift and active, exposing the holy arm of the LORD’s work. He has cleansed your feet to depart from unclean things, walking in step with His Word and Spirit. What’s on your feet? Put on the shoes of the gospel’s peace, making you ready to move with your Lord. Receive the commission of Jesus – be sent out, for how will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe whom they have never heard? How are they to hear without someone preaching? How are they to preach unless they are sent? So go with your beautiful feet! Preach His beautiful news!

 

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray for one another.
 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
 
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)
 
- Jeong’s (Jake, Amanda)
- Lee’s (Sam, Heidi)
- Deborah Ko
- Kristen Lee
- Patrick Liu
- Brian Pak
- Samuel Park
- Trey Reynolds
- Tyler Lee
- Edward Jeon
- Jeff Park
- Eunice Kim (UT Austin)
- Jedidiah Lim (Louisiana)
- Philip Oh
- Soo Nam (Dallas Police)
- Hana Lee
- Rachel Ko (preschool assistant)
- Hanna Kang
- Johann Lee
- Eugene Hong
- JR Reynolds
- Brian Joo
- Doug Kang
- James Han
- Winnie Kim
- Stacy Hong
- David An
- Daniel An
- Alice Jeon
- Ashley Min (UTD)
- Mike Choi (drummer, Jeff’s cousin)
- Eric Lee (UTD)
- Lisa Jeon
- Brian Yoon
- Jennifer Chung (UTA)
- June Kim (TWU)
- Hannah Kim (UT Austin)
- Hogan Lee (TCU)
- Steven Kwon (A&M)
- Benny Son (UT Austin)
- Esther Ko (UT Austin)
- Daniel Lee (UT Austin)
- Aaron Lee (Houston, postgraduate optometry)
- Matthew Ahn (UT Austin)
- Yura Ahn (UT Austin)
- Katie Han (New York)
- Emily Han (Austin)
- Jae Jung (Boston, MA)
- Hanbit Kang (Austin)

Put on Your Beautiful Garments
(ISAIAH 52:1-6)
 
Pause & Reflect
 
1 Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated, O Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

1. [v.1-2] *Biblical principle – GARMENTS MADE WITH 100% HOLINESS – God’s holiness is sown into every fiber of His beautiful garments – once only for the Levitical priesthood but now covering all in Christ Jesus as a royal priesthood, a chosen people, a holy nation, a people belonging to God (1 Peter 2:5-10). In a time of hopeless despair in exile, God continued to call on His people to listen up, wake up, sober up, drink up (His sobering judgments), pass up (His wrath to their enemies), and now dress up with His beautiful garments. This is the third time the phrase “awake, awake” appears, beginning from the previous chapter 51 (verse 9; verse 17). Awake, put on your beautiful garments! These are no ordinary garments. When worn, they represent God’s holiness that marked out His priests then, and His people now as a royal priesthood in covenant relationship to Him. When worn, even the bonds of the old covenant sign (circumcision) are broken.
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – In Jesus Christ, we have been made forever 100% holy – forgiven of all our sins in the past, all our sins in the present, and even all our sins yet to be done in the future. This holiness is the garment of the gospel to be worn right now. You are a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) with the royal priestly garments (Exodus 28) covering you, never allowing any sin to stain you or drain you below the bar of 100%. You’ll endlessly be recharged to full capacity. Are you wearing this? Do you trust in this, no matter what sins have entangled you that you will always return to 100% holiness/sinlessness/set-apart as cleansed and belonging to the LORD? Like law enforcement in uniform or court justices in robes, has wearing this holy garment changed your identity, who your commanding authority is, and your integrity before the LORD?     
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – What same sin-stained clothes are you putting on that only get dirty and smelly again and again? What clothes – old ways and old self – have you been living in while the new garments of Jesus remain unworn? Jesus has indeed broken the chains, but you must remove/loosen the chains. How are you still living chained when the power to remove them is before you?

 
3 For thus says the Lord: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.” 4 For thus says the Lord God: “My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing. 5 Now therefore what have I here,” declares the Lord, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the Lord, “and continually all the day my name is despised.

1. [v.3-5] *Biblical principle – GARMENTS SIZED FOR HIS SOVEREIGN WILL – The LORD’s beautiful garments are sized (E-XL) – Eternally Extra-Large – for when worn, we decrease while He continues to increase – His grandeur, bigger, and surpassing sovereign redemption from trial to triumph, from sorrow to gladness, from suffering to glory. God is not a broker with anyone. He gets no advantage by delivering His people into judgment, nor does He demand of His people a price to redeem them out of it. What He permits (even evil to do) does not nullify all that He controls. Who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct Him (1 Corinthians 2:16)? We often cannot understand why God does this or does not do that. Yet, He sovereignly sees us. At just the right time, He redeemed us without price to us, but at the great price of His only Son. By His own free will, all is for our good and for His glory (Romans 8:28).
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – To us, the redeeming work of the gospel is a free gift at no cost. But to God, it came at the most costly sacrifice of His only eternal Son. By wearing these oversized garments of His grace, how have you experienced both the free gift and the costly gift of Jesus?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – God acts according to His own free and mysterious will. He sees everything, and when time comes to pass, all that happens is in accord with His will. When worn, His garments show us to live by His will and say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” When has the LORD brought you to a place to confess this? Why is it far more important to obey His will rather than understand all of it? How can you obey His will today without getting all the questions to His will answered? Instead of “why” how can we live with a “why not” mindset?

 
6 Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.”

1. [v.6] *Biblical principle – GARMENTS STYLED TO MAKE HIS NAME KNOWN – Wear your beautiful garments of God in style, for it reveals the designer who always has the last word at the runway – in that day when all will know Jesus Christ is LORD. Wearing the beautiful garments of God will draw us into the sovereign thoughts of God – thoughts higher than our thoughts, ways higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). As His people journeyed with Him through judgment, discipline, oppression, and deliverance they came to know who their God was personally by His name. They came to know His style. God never panicked, nor was surprised, nor was in a dilemma what to do. The garments taught them the divine style of God’s last word – He would prove His promised word all the time. As we continue to wear these garments, we begin to know His style too. God always proves He is the designer and fulfiller of His Word. Already, He has in Christ. By His garments, we truly know Him and long for the day of His Son’s return!
   1. *FOCUS QUESTION #1 – When worn, our holy garments are noticed by others who want a peek at the backtag to see who made it. How is the name of Jesus getting noticed through you? How can we go viral with the name of Jesus humbly, wisely, winsomely, and creatively without compromising the integrity of His glorious name?
   2. *FOCUS QUESTION #2 – What kind of style do we need to put on? Read the following Scriptures –
      1. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (COLOSSIANS 3:12-17)
      2. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (ROMANS 13:14)
      3. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (EPHESIANS 6:11-17)

 
The central truth of this word was –
Listen up! Wake up! Sober up! Dress up! Wear your beautiful garments, church! As God’s people then were a kingdom of priests – beginning with the tribe of Levi set apart as the priesthood of the nation – these special garments (Exodus 28; Leviticus 8) to display the holiness of God is now ours in Jesus Christ! He calls us all – not just a special tribe – to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to the LORD as His royal, chosen, and holy people, calling His people out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:5-10). We have garments more beautiful than the priests of Israel. We have the Designer’s holy fabric, never staining with time and wear. We have a style that never goes out-of-fashion in the world. We can wear this for all seasons – a garment larger than ourselves or our own will! It’s time to dress up, church!

– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
 

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray for one another.
 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
 
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)