In language of soaring beauty and with characteristic detail and precision the prophet presents first, Christ's exalted qualifications; secondly, His contrasting humiliation for the work of redemption; thirdly, His rejection; and fourthly, His unique and harrowing atonement, and finally our utter dependence upon Him.

Nearly 700 years before the coming of Christ, the prophet details the principal features of the church to come: a people preserved; a people born in new revelation; a people who listen to God, and a people who live to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

Having already said so much about Christ and His future church, Isaiah now shows the astonishing features of the coming Gentile conversion, the unreasonableness of unbelief to be overpowered, and the infallibility of Christ especially in the upholding of His redeemed people.

Christ's parable of the lost sheep tracks the giving of the parable to record crowds including many hostile leaders.  He emphasises that God's mercy is to individuals, showing the divine motive, our lost condition, the costly recovery of the lost, and the Saviour's ultimate victory.

This message marks a break in the 2 Corinthians series to reflect on the redeeming work of Christ, surveying the statements throughout His earthly ministry predicting the details of Calvary and the resurrection - the goal and triumph of His immeasurable love for His own.