Isaiah 55:1-2 – The Wonderful Offer
See what is freely offered, freely given in these two verses. It is as if someone is on a hilltop with a crowd below him milling about. From the hilltop, he calls out loudly but clearly. Everyone looks up to him, and to them he begins these gladsome words. It’s a call to those in whom God has put a hunger and thirst for righteousness. This is not mere water, but waters. Abundant, life giving, cleansing for those who are filthy, quenching for those who are desperate and dry, and significant of the gift of the Holy Spirit. These waters are for those who have a deep thirst, who have a maddening thirst, and have no resources. But these waters are given freely and graciously by Him Who calls. When we are thirsting, and we are desperate, and we are dying because of our sin, God gives us this water. But look here, our gracious and good God gives us far more. Here is wine to cheer and strengthen. Here is milk to nourish even the weakest. God in Christ blesses us not with merely what will allow us to survive, but to flourish in Jesus as well, even as He provides in Christ a full salvation.
These poor people are trying to fill themselves with that which will not satisfy their hunger and thirst for righteousness. People will put their trust in one thing or another, but it will not satisfy. Nothing can satisfy but what is offered here to anyone who will drink of it, to anyone who will partake of it. This, and this alone can satisfy. Jesus is the bread of life. Jesus is the everlasting water. Have you hungered and thirsted for righteousness? Have you been filled by the bread of life and Him who gives living waters? Then you know. You know that here and here alone is satisfaction. Or are you still hungry? Do you feel the pangs of hunger and, yes, the very pangs of death themselves? Do you feel that you are starving on the fare that you have been feeding yourself? And are you parched and dry, thirsting for forgiveness of sin, thirsting for abundant and everlasting life? Thirsting to know a God who will be kind to you and cherish you evermore? Set aside that which cannot satisfy. If you hunger and thirst, drink of grace in Christ, for Jesus Himself gives living water. Take yourself to Him who has called Himself the bread of life. No matter what you are, no matter what you’ve done, no matter what you you have been, He implores you. He begs you to come!
Questions
- What do people think will satisfy them?
- How does Jesus satisfy?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for God’s gracious offer.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.