Isaiah at the Gym

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? – Isaiah 53:1

In my study of the Scripture, I have gone through different seasons. Sometimes I would have a devotional book and just read the two or three verses that came with that day’s reading. Other times I would be in a Bible study that focused on one specific book for a few weeks. For a long time, I would read straight through my study Bible, starting at Genesis and reading a few chapters a day, being helped by the notes and adding my own notes. I even went through a time of following one teacher’s suggestion of “read until something speaks to you, then stop and meditate on the verse(s) until you know what God is telling you that day.” Often that concept has been woven into the other approaches, and I have stacks of old journals to prove it.

As you may know from my last post, I have gone through seasons of committing Scripture to memory, a practice that has had some major benefits.

Storing Bread for Future Famine

Years ago, when I was a stay-at-home mom, I was having my “quiet time” when the children were at school. (When else would I have quiet time?) I was reading Isaiah 53, my favorite of the Old Testament, because it described in detail the atoning death and resurrection of the coming Messiah centuries before He came. Phrases like, “He was pierced for our transgressions,” “led like a lamb to the slaughter,” “the Lord makes his life a sin offering,” “assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death,” and “he will see the light of life,” not only told about how Messiah would die, but also why – that His death would atone for sinners. It also stated that He would be raised to life again. I had memorized this chapter in the past but, realizing I had become a little “rusty,” I felt motivated that day to continue going over it until I could recite it without hesitation.

Having feasted on this rich passage both mentally and spiritually, I decided to do my body a favor and go to the gym.

Once there, I stashed my purse and bag in a locker, hopped on one of the machines, and started working on burning some calories.

After a while, a young man stepped onto the machine next to me. Soon we were chatting, and somewhere in the conversation he let me know he was Jewish. Of course, whenever I meet a Jewish person, I always want to ask what they think of Isaiah 53, and today especially was no exception. He confessed that he hadn’t read much of the Old Testament. Of course, I let him know that it “just so happens” I was studying that passage that very morning. I shared some verses with him, and he seemed surprised at some of the prophesies so clearly presented about the Messiah – his Messiah. When I urged him to read the whole chapter when he got home, I found out why he hadn’t read much of the Old Testament – He didn’t have one.

I finished my work out before my new acquaintance did, but I told him I would write down some of the verses for him. I mooched a sheet of paper from the front desk, and on my way to my locker to get a pen, I was inspired to take it a step further. I grabbed my little New Testament out of my purse, sat down in the corner of the cardio room, and began writing.

Of course, I wrote out Isaiah 53 from memory, but next to each verse I left enough space to add New Testament Scripture references, showing where that verse head been fulfilled. By the time my friend was finished with his workout, I had finished mine. He thanked me and took the paper with him, but the cynical side of me wondered, Is he really going to read it?

I didn’t have to wonder long. A couple of days later, I was back at the gym at about the same time, and there he was! When he saw me, his face lit up. He told me he had taken the paper home, and that night he and his wife had gone through the Isaiah passage, verse by verse. It turned out his wife was Catholic and had a New Testament, so they were able to look up all the verses I had written down. I was excited for both of them and so grateful for the inspiration to focus on that chapter that day, and for our “divine appointment” at the gym. I didn’t see him after that, although for a while I prayed for him and his wife.

Years later, I was talking about things the Lord had been doing with my friend Marsha, who, unlike me, had grown up in the area. She said she had spoken recently with an old high school classmate, who was Jewish but had become a believer in Jesus as Messiah! When she mentioned his name – well, you can guess who he was. I told her I had met him, and she went on to say that not only had he become a believer, but he was studying to go into the ministry!

I don’t know any more of his story – it’s been so long, I don’t even remember the man’s name. If this had happened recently, I would probably look him up on social media. But back then there was no Google, Facebook – or time for social rabbit trails. I was busy being a wife, raising children, volunteering, and studying to be a teacher.

It’s only now, in retirement with an “empty [sometimes] nest,” that I even have time to write about such things. But if it takes a story like this one to encourage you to learn Scripture, be inspired. God’s Word changes lives.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your Word and that so many of us still have access to it. Forgive us for the times we neglected to take advantage of the freedom we have to study and equip ourselves to serve You. Help us to do so today, in Jesus’ name, amen.