Jesus our Refuge
Isaiah 53:1-12
22 February 2021
The Bible sometimes gives us short descriptions of major events. The destruction during the flood is covered with a single verse Every living thing that moved on land perished–birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Gen 7:21. We can try to use our imagination to picture the events during the flood. The earth at that time, like at any time in history, was filled with all types of people from violently criminal to passively “good”. There were old men and women, middle aged families, youngsters, children and infants. People did hear of the coming rain and flood, but they were too busy with life to give any attention to it. There were more important matters in life that needed their attention – rising inflation, children education, insecurity at workplace, children marriage, better job opportunities, buying house , selling property , divorce, remarriage, housing loan, partying, health problems etc.,. Suddenly one day it started raining – rain they had never experienced before. They stayed indoors, very sure the rain will stop. Soon their mud walls started to collapse, roofs started to cave in. There was no place to take refuge from this torrential rain. Many now took shelter under the trees – clutching their babies, children huddling around them. Some took shelter in caves. Soon the water started to rise. Some climbed up the mountains. And on the plains they climbed up the trees. Older people were left below. Water level continued to rise. It was no longer possible to hold on to the infants and children. It was not possible to climb any further. Suddenly a branch would break and a mother clutching her baby will fall into the water below. There was screaming everywhere, as slowly their near and dear ones started drowning, their loved ones started dying.
The Bible warns us that a Day of Destruction is coming – a terrible day. Mat 24:38-39 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Isa 66:15 “For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. Where can we hide ourselves from the wrath of God? Where do we run for refuge from this terrible day? Surely to the Cross were Jesus died. God has not left it for our imagination but, throughout scripture, has given us vivid descriptions of Jesus sacrifice for the sins of mankind. And we have an entire chapter – Isaiah 53 – on the suffering of the one, who took the entire force of God’s fierce wrath on Himself on the Cross. Jesus bore God’s wrath in the place of sinful man. It was not just the physical suffering that Jesus had to endure on the cross but something much much more terrible. When we read “ it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause Him to suffer and make his life an offering for sin” it meant the agony of being separated from God the Father with whom he coexisted from eternity – that made Jesus cry out from the cross “My God My God why hast thou forsaken me”. Why did the sinless One take on our sins and endure the Judgment of God? So that we can take refuge at the only place available – The Cross.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Augustus Montague Toplady 1740 – 1778