The Servant

Isaiah 53

Alan Bruns / General

Hear the Word of the Lord

Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (ESV) 13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. 14 As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind— 15 so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. 1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lordhas laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

This is the Word of God

Prayer:

Introduction:

Living now during the early 21st century provides us with many blessings to include better health, wealth, heated homes, cars, and better means of communication.

Science and technology have improved our external lives, but, why are there are still wars, evil, death, injustices, abuse, and murder? Even after the enlightenment there is still something wrong with our human nature.

In history, there have been many great kings and leaders who had successes in conquering evil enemies such as the Nazis, radical terrorists, totalitarian governments, and despots.

These successes have brought peace, unity and prosperity, but it is always fleeting.

A Biblical example is King David of Israel. He was a man after God’s own heart. If ever there was to be a utopian society based on the works of man, this was the perfect opportunity.

In 2 Sam 7, God promises to David that he will establish a throne of his kingdom forever.

Israel envisioned an everlasting Kingdom, but it was short lived.

Sin permeated amongst the people- There were lies, adultery, and murder. King David himself was not immune

In 2 Sam 12, David was blind to his own sins until the prophet Nathan told him a story about an unjust rich man who instead of using one of his own sheep to entertain guests, stole a poor man’s only lamb to use for the banquet.

This provoked the wrath of David against this rich man, and the prophet Nathan says to David, “you are the man.”

Israel continued in a downward spiral of sin with the ultimate destruction of Jerusalem and the temple with survivors being exiled to Babylon.

In this section of Isaiah, he speaks to these exiles who are asking, “What happened to God’s promises?”

God’s plans have never been thwarted, but his purposes focus on a future Kingdom that requires its citizens to be righteous.

This is the conundrum. How can a messianic King come and rule people whose hearts rebel against God?

In Isaiah 53, God’s people are given a message of hope. There will be a messiah, who is not just a King, but a suffering servant.

This is not the type of messiah that they were looking for, but it was the messiah that God needed to ultimately bring his people out of bondage in sin to live eternal life. This is the Gospel, the good news of a coming messiah who came as a suffering servant to live a perfect life and to be the atoning sacrifice for all the sins of those who would repent and trust him for their salvation.

This prophecy was written 700 years before the birth of Christ, and as articulated throughout the New Testament, finds fulfillment in the person of Jesus.

Isaiah 53 presents the good news that Gods’ Servant will come to Suffer in order to Save his people from their sins, and will all be for His Satisfaction.

Outline

1. God’s Servant came to Suffer

2. God’s Servant came to Save his people from their sins

3. God’s Servant will be Satisfied

1. God’s Servant came to Suffer

Isaiah 52:13

God speaking

13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.

He is God’s Servant- A posture of submission

Matthew 20:28 (ESV) 28 [Jesus} came not to be served but to serve…

He shall be exalted.

Victory is promised, but it will not be by a smashing military conquest, but by suffering

Throughout our lives we have good times, but life is filled with suffering.

God’s servant, Jesus, is able to identify with all of our suffering.

a. socially, b. emotionally, c. physically, and d. spiritually.

a. God’s servant came to suffer Socially.

Isaiah 53:1–2 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; (Root of David)

God brings his servant to life. The land is dry. Picture of Jesus arriving into a spiritually dried up world.

But, Jesus was not born in a palace. He was born in a manger, and laid in a feeding trough.

He then grew up in Nazareth. “Nothing good comes out of Nazarth.

He was a Nobody- The son of a carpenter.

So, why did Jesus have to come as new born baby and not just arrive on the scene at age 30 to start his ministry?

To be our representative, Jesus had to live perfectly the whole life that we were unable to live.

From birth to death he experienced the complete range of suffering that we experience during our life.

Hebrews 2:17–18 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Not only poor, but ignored.

3 He was despised and rejected by men, and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Treated like someone with leprocy.

John 1:10–11 ESV

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

He suffered socially and emotionally.

b. Emotional Suffering Isaiah 53:3–4 (ESV)

3 b

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

4  Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

...He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief

He was a man of Grief. Why? Not over his sin and troubles, but ours.

.Social, emotional, physical suffering, but also spiritual

c. Physical suffering

Isaiah 53:4–5 (ESV)

4  Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

He had no form or majesty that we should look at him. Unlike David. 1 Sam 16:12. who had beautiful eyes and handsome. Jesus is not the attractive conqueror. The people of his day not see a halo over his head

d. Spiritual Suffering 4b. smitten by God, One who afflicted him was God, not the Devil- My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Experienced suffering for our transgressions.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. God’s Servant came to live a full life of suffering socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically while living life of perfect obedience and righteous.

God’s plan for Christ’s suffering are now known to us through his word.

And our Christ provides comfort and hope to his people who are suffering.

Until we see God we will not know why we are currently suffering.

If Jesus is your Savior he does understand your pain and sorrow.

He has experienced it.

He did it in righteousness and perfectly.

Luke 24:26–27 (ESV) 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. God’s Servant came to Suffer.

2. God’s Servant came to Save his people from their sins.

a. Sacrifice for our iniquity

Why do we need salvation?

Sheep in Ireland- smell, don’t obey, Need a shepherd

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lordhas laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Lost in sin. turning our own way. Psalm 14:2–3 (ESV) (Romans 3:10) 2 The Lordlooks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

He did not die because of himself, but for our iniquities, perversions, and rebellion against God.

He was wounded for our transgressions.

By his strips he… Scourged. Our healing is found.

Human condition. We are like sheep.

Laid on him the iniquity of us all.

b. Atonement

My sin is transferred to the sinless suffering servant-

This is Half of the Gospel. Christ brings Innocence to His people, but not righteousness. We bring nothing to God but filthy rags.

God requires righteousness for his new kingdom.

Talking about our nature, not our deeds. Sheep is the illustration. Sheep go astray- that is their nature.

We are conceived and born into iniquity. My sins and sin nature.

Not because of his sin, but our transgressions and iniquities. First person plural (Our Place)

We are the sheep who have gone astray, but he is beaten for our willfulness. Yet he opened not his mouth. Not a word of protest. The son, his servanthood done willing. Equality with God and emptied himself. Even unto death. God exalted him. Phil 2

Isaiah 53:7–9 (ESV)

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. Trials of Jesus- Did not come to his own defense- mission to die. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? A king who dies in unjustly to establish a kingeom and makes his people innocent and righteous.

without a wife, no children, no legacy. No family tree. Ended with him.

c. Declaring us innocent and righteous.

Humiliation turns a corner

Grave with the wicked, riches his death.

9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Buried- Should have been thrown into Gehenna and burned with the trash, Assigned to die.

Honored- Buried in a rich man’s tomb. Matthew 27- Joseph of Arimathea.

Isaiah 53:10a

10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

This is all a part of God’s Decree.

God solves the conundrum in the OT- Exodus 34:6-7 How can God be compassion and forgive sin? Still not leave the guilty unpunished?

Tension: Psalm 79:8–9 (ESV) 8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!

God his Holy and will by no means clear the guilty. We are all guilty and deserve death. But God being merciful and gracious had a plan from all eternity that he would send himself in the person of the son to be the perfect sacrifice required to atone (pay for) our sins.

vs 10- Important verse in the chapter- Sovereignty of God with suffering. Yet, it pleased the Lord to bruise him.

Not a diabolical pleasure. vs 10- Lord please. Not with agony or suffering, but atonement. God smit Jesus by loading him up with all the sins of all the people of all time who would every believe.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If we are in Christ God see Christ’s righteousness.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

At a Critical point in the Gospels, Jesus asks his disciples who he is. Peter, replies, “you are the Christ.” The disciples were now ready to rule the Nation and world with Christ in all of his power as King. But, in this section of scripture, Jesus, provided a paradoxical plan to the Disciples. He said, he must go to Jerusalem, and die.

Peter, not understanding the primary mission of Christ, rebuked him. Christ said to Peter, get behind me Satan. The plan required not just an earthly king over the world, but an act of Redemption to Save his people from themselves. Earthly Kingdoms do not address the underlying need of mankind, that they are sinners in need of a Savior who will bring them back into a relationship with God that would last for all eternity in the garden, paradise would be restored from the initial fall.

Matthew 16:15–16 (ESV)

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (messiah) the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:21–23 (ESV) 21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

3. God’s Servant will be Satisfied

How will he be Satisfied?

a. He conquered sin and death.

b. Faith and repentance-Children of God

c. Everlasting peace, joy and fellowship n the New heaven and new earth.

Isaiah 53:10b–12 (ESV) 10b when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Christ was raised from the dead for HIS satisfaction.

Jesus himself on the other side of the cross will see all of the riches of redemption.

Save his people and create a kingdom of righteous kings and priests.

He will see his adopted sons and daughters that he calls brothers and sisters- Joint heirs.

His days will be prolonged- Live forever. "), by implication, forever since when death is conquered it can't defeat you again (Romans 6:9

12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors./// Matthew 5:6 (ESV) 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

How can we stand before God as righteous? We can’t. Christ stands in as our advocate.

Something pleasant in the eyes of the father from all eternity. Trinity agreed upon regarding suffering evil. He knew what it what is was for. Was not meaningless.

Pangs of child birth. New born women forget about the pain and they are satisfied. Someday we will see all of the suffering like the servant we will be satisfied.

Your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Pain with no meaning is futile. for the Christian there is no such thing. Someday we why we had social, emotional, spiritual and physical suffering and will see and will be satisfied.

God works now through our pain and suffering.

Propitiation- Because he rendered himself as a guilt offering. God was satisfied.

God will see us in Christ and be satisfied.

The Servant knows God in an intimate relationship and indeed shares God’s own righteousness, he will in turn be able to make many people righteous. Bearing their iniquities.

He will be satisfied as

53:12- Therefore, God gives his servant the victors wreath? Because he was treated like one of the rebels when he was not and thus could bear their punishment and make Intercession for them. The verse clears up how the servant brings God’s justice to the world.

Through the injustice of sin and death. Brought about by mans desire to go his own way.

Back to

Isaiah 52:13 ESV

13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.

Isaiah 52:15 ESV

15 so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

Hebrews- Went to cross for joy set before him. Christ will spend eternity with all who he has redeemed- All the father gives to me I will raise in the last day.

Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

52:13 God rewards him- I will lavish on him the fullness of my inheritance and joint heirs, Because he was numbered with the transgressions. Bore the sin of many.

Philippians 2:6–11 (ESV)

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ solves the riddle in the OT- Exodus 34:6-7

Exodus 34:6–7 ESV

6 The Lordpassed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

How can God be compassion and forgive sin and still not leave the guilty unpunished.

Tension: Psalm 79:8–9 (ESV)

8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!

Oswalt

Servant did not come to tell people what God wants, rather, he came to be what God wants for us.

The whole point of the death of Christ. He died in our place. And all who trust him as the Savior and Lord and Treasure of your life will be forgiven and justified and live forever with him.

Conclusion

Repentance and Faith.

Sovereign Lord has the power and will to deliver his people from their sin. -

Main Ideal- Gods’ Servant came to Suffer in order to become the perfect Sacrifice to Save his people from their sins, and all for His Satisfaction.

So remind us during this Advent season,

1st advent and awaiting the second.

But God was not willing to leave us in this guilty and condemned condition. He planned from ages past to send a Suffering Servant, not mainly to model love for us, but to bear our sins as a substitute for us. "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." This is the heart of Christianity. Jesus Christ came into the world to fulfill this prophecy of

Isaiah 53. He came to die in our place. He came to die for our sins.

What becomes clear from this chapter and from its fulfillment in the New Testament is that your sins can be forgiven, you can be declared righteous before God, and you can have eternal life with the risen Christ in everlasting joy. What is required is true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

(Revelation 5:5). This is a picture of the Messiah who was dead and is alive and victorious forever as the Lord of all those who receive his salvation.

Revelation 5:5 ESV

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”