As we start this Monday of Holy Week, let us consider why the crucifixion happened. Today we will look back to Isaiah, who never met Jesus and never knew the son of God who taught, healed, performed miracles, and attracted followers. Isaiah could not have imagined Jesus’ birth in a manger, the twelve men who joined him to do his work, and women like Mary Magdalene, Martha, and Salome, who attended to our Lord. Isaiah didn’t know anything about Jesus, but he knew everything about the WHY of Jesus.

Isaiah 42 (Common English Bible)

But here is my servant, the one I uphold;
    my chosen, who brings me delight.
I’ve put my spirit upon him;
    he will bring justice to the nations.
² He won’t cry out or shout aloud
    or make his voice heard in public.
³ He won’t break a bruised reed;
    he won’t extinguish a faint wick,
    but he will surely bring justice.
⁴ He won’t be extinguished or broken
    until he has established justice in the land.
The coastlands await his teaching.

God told Isaiah that his chosen one would bring justice to the nations. He taught Isaiah that his servant would be challenged, but would prevail. God instructed Isaiah to tell the nations about the savior who would come to open blind eyes, lead prisoners to freedom, and offer a covenant of blood and atonement for their sins.

⁵ God the Lord says—
    the one who created the heavens,
    the one who stretched them out,
    the one who spread out the earth and its offspring,
    the one who gave breath to its people
    and life to those who walk on it—
⁶ I, the Lord, have called you for a good reason.
    I will grasp your hand and guard you,
    and give you as a covenant to the people,
    as a light to the nations,
⁷     to open blind eyes, to lead the prisoners from prison,
    and those who sit in darkness from the dungeon.
⁸ I am the Lord;
    that is my name;
    I don’t hand out my glory to others
        or my praise to idols.

So while Isaiah never knew Jesus, he knew that Jesus would usher in a new world order where sin and death would be vanquished. Behold! God makes all things new.

⁹ The things announced in the past—look—they’ve already happened,
    but I’m declaring new things.
    Before they even appear,
    I tell you about them.

When Jesus walked that lonely journey to the cross, he carried the words of Isaiah in his heart. Isaiah gave him strength for the task. But for today, let us rejoice in knowing that just as Isaiah foretold it, the old things no longer exist. God is declaring all things new.

Where in your life is God declaring new things for you? Have you put the past in the past? Have you left it all behind? What changes do you have to make to receive the new life God is offering?

The God who created the heavens, gave breath to his people, and offers eternal life calls you to close the door on the past and claim the new things that Jesus purchased for you on the cross.

Its time to move forward.