Still, it’s what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.
Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many “righteous ones,”
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I’ll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn’t flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep. Isaiah 53:10-12 (MSG)
Jesus made the decision to face a non-people pleasing, struggle for your mission life. He made the decision to face death.....for us. That decision started with the choice to come here as a baby. The birth of Christ, which we celebrate at this time of year, was one of many decisions that he made to save us. And this is why we celebrate.