Yes, that’s the way this great chapter begins. (Nothing in the great Book of Isaiah has been the same since Chapter 53 … Jesus dying on the Cross!)
Today’s Text …
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1
See it? “Buy .. without money or price!”
Then it (speaking of Salvation) must be a “gift!”
Valuable, ineffably so … but freely provided to all those thirsty and hungry souls who come to Jesus for Relief!
The opening word, “Ho” (in Hebrew “hoy”), is translated “Woe” 36 times in our King James Bible. But HERE there is not even a “hint” of impending judgment! Only an announcement of available Blessing! It’s an Interjection, “Ho,” great excitement being indicated!
Again, because of Isaiah 53 … Jesus’ vicarious (in our stead) Death for us old sinners!
But the key is … are you “thirsty,” do you so “thirst?” A verb which is derived from a root meaning “to suffer thirst,” intensely so! (If not, the Holy Spirit can make you that thirsty!)
I personally get thirsty for Jesus every time I think about Him! Or hear about Him … either in the Word of God or in some sermon, or even in testimony or song!
Sounds like Jesus is the “waters!” (Bad grammar, but quite good Theology!)
To the sinful “woman at the well” … “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” John 4:18
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” John 7:37, another great “Come unto Me!”
But not just “water” is here proffered, both “wine and milk” are also equally available.
“Water” is certainly a metaphor for salvation, deliverance from Hell and absolutely eternal Satisfaction in Jesus!
“Wine” though speaks of “joy” many times in the Bible … being gloriously “happy” in Jesus!
And “milk,” no doubt, spiritual growth and sustenance and advancement! “Newborn babes in Christ,” Peter says … but soon to need Bread and Meat and Honey from the Word of God as well.
Note … at least in one sense … here spiritual growth (maturity) is a GIFT of the GRACE of God too! No man “within himself” earns a closer proximity to Jesus … it is a condition bestowed!
Yet … in another sense, Peter (again) says we are to be “diligent” (requiring strenuous effort) to grow in Christ! Adding “grace to grace” … as we develop in Jesus! See 2 Peter 1:5-11 as the Basis for my comment here.
Wow!
What Jesus accomplished for us … on the Cross!
We will probably never know it all!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Meanwhile I will gladly enjoy the water and the wine and the milk! So freely provided!
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