December 16: Isaiah 53:9b / 1 Peter 2:22-23

…although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9b)

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 2:22-23)

Today’s verse in Isaiah gives us two characteristics of the coming Messiah. First, “having done no violence” and “having no deceit in his mouth.” Peter confirms in his writing that Jesus not only fulfilled these characteristics but adds that he did so by continuing to entrust his actions to his Father.

In our time, we only have to read a day’s headlines to confirm that deceit and violence fill men’s hearts. In John 1:47 when Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael’s reply was, “How do you know me?”

Our character matters, our reputation matters. How do people know you? More importantly, how are you known to Jesus? Can he say of you: “Behold, a Christian, in whom is no deceit!”? The best way to impact our world around us is to follow the example of Jesus. Trust in our Father above, not to right the wrongs around us, with the wisdom of the world which most often involves violence and deceit.

Pastor Paul Kenyon

Sturgeon Bay Seventh Day Adventist