Isaiah 53:1 “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”
The phrase “Who hath believed our report?” seems to be an exclamatory question, emphasizing that many do not, and some cannot believe the “report” of Christ’s Suffering and Death to Pay Our Sin-Debt. It is absolutely astonishing to me; but, John tells us, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:”; and then he explains that it was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecy: “That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:37-43). Although many did not believe, Paul declared that he was “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Even when it is made obvious that the “report” is true, “they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Romans 1:16). Like Paul, whether it is popularly believed or not, those who are blessed to “believe” it ought to stand up stalwartly and boldly declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ in both words and deeds! Our Lord was not ashamed to “confess” us “before” God the “Father” (Matthew 10:32), so we should never be “ashamed of the gospel of Christ”!