Isaiah is truly the Messianic prophet because he gives so many detailed descriptions of the nature of the Christ and the work He would do. Most individuals know the words of Isaiah chapter 53, where we read of the One on whom our iniquity would be laid. We know of that lamb and sheep lead to the slaughter or to be sheared and He would not open His mouth during that ordeal. Far too few know of Isaiah chapter 35 and the wonderful truths about His coming.
The chapter begins with a promise that God would some day come and bring two events with Him. He would come with salvation and vengeance (v. 4). The evidence that Jesus had come would be that the eyes of the blind would be opened and the ears of the deaf would be unstopped (v. 5). It Is to this very verse that Jesus referenced when John’s disciples asked if He was the Messiah or should they look for someone else to come (Luke 7:20-22).
Isaiah then reveals that there would be a new path called the Highway of Holiness that would lead men to God. On that highway would be the redeemed singing with everlasting joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing would flee (vv. 8-10). He who was the “way, the truth and the life” would bring that pathway to God (John 14:6).
The Messianic prophet then reveals two aspects of this highway. It would first be characterized by holiness. God had said, “Be ye holy for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44), and the blood of the Messiah would make true holiness to come upon mankind (1 Pet. 1:16). Judaism was charactered by ceremonial uncleanness but Christianity would involve a holy nation with a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9).
The other aspect of that highway would be how simple it would be to find and then to walk on that path. “Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray” (v. 8). While there are difficult passages of the Bible to fully comprehend, none of them involve our salvation. Our God wants all men who hunger and thirst after righteousness to be filled. This is why the New Testament is written in simple terms, easily understood and in the simplest language.
To see this truth, find any passage about faith in the Bible to see if it is involved in our finding God. Then find any passage about repentance to see if it is involved. Find any of those passages about confessing Christ to see its place on entrance to the highway of holiness. Finally, find any passage about baptism to see if God has made it part of that highway.
Now note that I said “any passage.” There is not any verse about faith, repentance, confession and baptism that is hard. The highway has come. Finding it is simple!