Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Isaiah 53

When the Savior said -

"...for great are the words of Isaiah." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 23:1)

I don't believe there are greater words as Isaiah prophecies of the coming atonement of the Savior in the 53rd Chapter of Isaiah. Isaiah even began this writing with the question -

"WHO hath believed our report?" (Old Testament | Isaiah 53:1)

And I think he could have also asked "who will believe this report or testimony?"

And then who will receive the blessings of the atonement as he asks -

"...to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" (Old Testament | Isaiah 53:1)

As Isaiah describes the atonement, the suffering of the Savior, and the marvelous blessings, he writes -

"...by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many..." (Old Testament | Isaiah 53:11)

Paul would later teach that not all are justified by the law of Moses saying -

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight...
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..." (New Testament | Romans 3:20 - 24)

The very summary of the law of justification was made by the Prophet Joseph Smith -

"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel." (Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:3)

Or as Nephi summarized -

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 25:23)

In this manner will He "justify many"