In these two chapters of Isaiah we are reminded of the truth that Jesus is both judge and savior. He has both vengeance and love in His heart (63:4, 7) and we would be in great error if we failed to recognize the truth of both. There are two intense descriptions in these chapters of His holiness and our brokenness, both followed by a reminder of His mercy, love and grace that have rescued us.
"I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations one one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments and I stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground." Isaiah 63:1-6
This is not the smiling, happy Jesus holding lambs or shining in the sky that we often think of. This is the Son of God, the righteous and holy One who reigns as king and will one day come back to judge the world. Those who oppose Him will be condemned and those who have trusted in Him as Savior will be saved and redeemed. We see these verses again in Revelation 19, which describe the second coming of Christ when He will both judge and redeem.
"He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." Rev. 19:13,15-16
Jesus is the victorious king and judge who will someday come and destroy all evil. And because sin is so deeply rooted in our hearts and because it has caused us to rebel against God, we cannot escape that judgement on our own. We like to think we are okay, that we aren't that bad, or that at least we're not as bad as our neighbor. But Isaiah 64:6-7 is very clear about the depths of our sin and the condition of our hearts apart from Christ.
"For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins." Isaiah 64:6-7
Even our righteous deeds, our good works, our best attempts at righteousness are like filthy rags. And he's not just talking about a dirty rag you used to wipe up a spill. This reference is to garments of menstruation, a symbol of the greatest level of uncleanliness. Our sin is horrid and deep within us and has separated us from God so that we have not even the slightest chance at being made righteous and clean by any attempt of our own.
But there is hope.
"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD: do not remember our sins forever." Isaiah 64:8-9
Our Father in heaven created us and loves us with a love far beyond that of an earthly father to his children. We read in 63:7-15 of this undeserved love. It's a love so great that He could not leave us in our filthy condition forever. Isaiah writes of the lovingkindess of the Lord, the goodness of the Lord which He has granted us according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His lovingkindness.
"In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them." Isaiah 63:9
In His great love, mercy and grace, God made a way to bring us back, to redeem us, to make us new. Jesus took on our filthy sin, paying the penalty of our separation so that we could be redeemed and restored in righteousness. It is not our work, nothing we can do or offer, but the pure grace poured out at the cross that saves us.
May we know Jesus as the king and judge who is full of power,might and glory. And may we rest in the fullness of His love, grace and mercy that lead us to redemption.
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