The Lord’s Good Plan

The boys and I are memorizing Isaiah 53 together. As we have memorized each verse we have talked about its meaning. This passage, although written in beautiful poetry actually describe the most unjust, heinous crime of all mankind against the only truly innocent Human to ever live.  Verse nine says, “He had done no wrong and never deceived anyone…” This Man was perfect. Yet he suffered immeasurably.Why? Because He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. He is the One promised of God–the perfect Lamb who would be offered for the sins of man.

What has truly given me pause is verse ten. “Yet it was the Lord’s good plan to crush Him [Jesus] and cause Him grief….” As I read this verse, I marveled at its explicitness. God planned and it was GOOD. God planned that Jesus would suffer indescribably and this was a good plan!

I asked the boys what this verse tells us about God. Marshall wisely answered, ‘That He had a plan all along. That He is in control.” The Sovereignty of God is clear in this passage. It is also evident that He has a purpose. He is not capricious like the Greek gods of ancient times.

Then I asked what it tells us about suffering. This one was harder for them to answer, so I got a little more specific and asked, “Is suffering always a bad thing?” Of course this passage is evidence that no, suffering is not always a bad thing. God’s plan was good. And it included suffering.

Finally we talked about what makes this plan a good plan. The boys were quick to point out it was a good plan because God loves us and wanted to redeem us. John 3:16, one of the most quoted verses in the Bible does say, “God loved the world so much…” So it is very true that His love for us led him to the divinely good plan. But that makes it a good plan for us. How is it a good plan for Jesus? For God Himself. Verse 11 gives us the answer:  “When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience,  my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous,  for he will bear all their sins. ” Jesus is satisfied in the end result. His righteousness extended to everyone who believes. God glory exposed in all the earth. His goodness on display. His love, power, faithfulness, justice, mercy, and grace come together at the cross. That is the Lord’s Good Plan.


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