Isaiah 50-53

In this week’s reading assignment, the most important chapter is Isaiah 53. All four chapters are beautiful, but chapter 53 in particular is probably very familiar to you (it is to me) because the entire chapter has been quoted so much. It is about the Savior’s mortal life. The lesson focuses strongly on Isaiah 53:2–5:

* At the beginning of the lesson, you are asked to look at Isaiah 53:2–5, Alma 7:11–13, and Hebrews 2:16–18; 4:15.

* At the end of the lesson, you are asked to look at Isaiah 53:2–4 (so we lose one verse), Alma 7:11–13 (this citation is the same), and Hebrews 2:16–18 (we lose the reference to Hebrews 4:15).

Isaiah 53:2–5 reads, “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our face from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Alma 7:11–13 reads, “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

Hebrews 2:16–18 reads, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

Hebrews 4:15 reads, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

The questions associated with these scriptural references are the sort of question whose only appropriate response is a testimony, because the answer is so obvious and so plain that the only thing left to say is why they touch you specifically and how, in response to their clarity, you feel about the Savior and his life and mission. The language is simple, majestic, and famous; so, apart from bearing a testimony, what is there to talk about when we read these magnificent verses?

One thing comes to mind. Last night I was reading in a book by Neal A. Maxwell. Many ward Relief Societies these days have sprouted book clubs, and my ward is no exception. This particular book (Not My Will, But Thine) is the choice for October, and I need to finish reading it in the next few days.

I could not help but notice as I was reading that Neal Maxwell really liked George MacDonald. (I like George MacDonald too; I haven’t read his nonfiction but loved his children’s fiction when I was growing up.) Elder Maxwell has several references to George MacDonald and apparently liked to quote from him quite a lot. One quote in particular got my attention. On page 65 of my copy of the book, Neal Maxwell wrote, “George MacDonald laid bare the half-heartedness of some of us: ‘ “I cannot be perfect; it is hopeless; and He does not expect it.” —It would be more honest if he said, “I do not want to be perfect: I am content to be saved.” Such as he do not care for being perfect as their Father in heaven is perfect, but for being what they call saved.’ ” (The reference in the end note for the chapter says this quotation was taken from George MacDonald: An Anthology, C.S. Lewis, ed. (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1978), p. 10).

This is such a great quote. My point is one that combines what George MacDonald said with much of the thrust of what Avraham Gileadi has also written, although (to be honest) I am still thinking through Avraham Gileadi’s thoughts on the subject. It is very comfortable to talk about what the Savior has done for us from the safety of our homes and our classrooms. But you can also turn things around and make them far more personal. Is it enough for you to know that the Savior has blessed your life and made it possible for you to repent and progress? Or do you feel a responsibility to help others? Are you only willing to praise and adore the Savior, paying lip service to what he did? Or are you willing to do more than that?

I think all these verses about the Savior suddenly sound a lot more frightening and personally challenging if you start thinking about your own work in this life. As it says in part of Luke 12:48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required….”

How do you measure up?

Sunday School Notebook - October 2006 - Susan Morgan