Isaiah 53- God's Servant

Alan Bruns

Isaiah 53

Open your Bibles to Isaiah 53. This song actually starts the end of Chapter 52, starting with vs 13

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 Lord has 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.

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, guide as now as we look into your Word and provide us with ears to hear about your servant and our savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Introduction:

Human experience is vast and varied, but few things exist as a universal experience like suffering. The pains and problems vary from person to person, but we all suffer.

via delorosa sorrows

Suffering of Jesus Christ

Synopsis

Jesus Christ’s life was characterised by suffering, though the worst experiences were reserved for his final days. His sufferings are both redemptive and an example to believers.

Jesus Christ’s sufferings foretold

In the OT

Ps 22:6–8; Ps 22:16–18; Is 50:6; Is 52:13–53:12; Zec 9:9–10; Zec 12:10; Zec 13:7; 1 Pe 1:11

Psalm 22:6–8 (ESV) — 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

Psalm 22:16–18 (ESV) — 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Isaiah 50:6 (ESV) — 6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.

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 Lord has 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.

Zechariah 9:9–10 (ESV) — 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 12:10 (ESV) — 10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.

Zechariah 13:7 (ESV) — 7 “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.

1 Peter 1:11 (ESV) — 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

In Jesus Christ’s predictions

Mt 16:21

Matthew 16:21 (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.

See also Mt 20:17–19; Jn 12:32–33

Matthew 20:17–19 (ESV) — 17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

John 12:32–33 (ESV) — 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

Jesus Christ’s suffering during his lifetime

As a child

Mt 2:13–15

Matthew 2:13–15 (ESV) — 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Because of his family

Mk 3:20–21

Mark 3:20–21 (ESV) — 20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

See also Jn 7:3–5

John 7:3–5 (ESV) — 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him.

Because of the crowds’ unbelief

Mk 9:19

Mark 9:19 (ESV) — 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”

See also Mt 12:39; Mk 8:11–12

Matthew 12:39 (ESV) — 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Mark 8:11–12 (ESV) — 11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Because of the disciples’ slowness

Mk 8:17–21

Mark 8:17–21 (ESV) — 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Because of the religious leaders

Mt 12:14

Matthew 12:14 (ESV) — 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

See also Jn 5:18; Jn 7:1; Jn 8:48

John 5:18 (ESV) — 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 7:1 (ESV) — 1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.

John 8:48 (ESV) — 48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

Because of human suffering

Lk 19:41

Luke 19:41 (ESV) — 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,

See also Mk 7:34; Lk 7:13; Jn 11:33–35

Mark 7:34 (ESV) — 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

Luke 7:13 (ESV) — 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

John 11:33–35 (ESV) — 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.

Jesus Christ’s suffering at the time of his death

He was inwardly troubled

Jn 12:27

John 12:27 (ESV) — 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.

See also Mt 26:36–42; Jn 13:21

Matthew 26:36–42 (ESV) — 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

John 13:21 (ESV) — 21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

He was betrayed

Mt 26:21–25; Mt 26:47–49; Jn 13:18–30

Matthew 26:21–25 (ESV) — 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Matthew 26:47–49 (ESV) — 47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.

John 13:18–30 (ESV) — 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” 21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

He was humiliated

Mt 27:27–30

Matthew 27:27–30 (ESV) — 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.

See also Mt 26:67–68; Mt 27:26; Lk 23:11; Jn 18:22; Jn 19:1

Matthew 26:67–68 (ESV) — 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Matthew 27:26 (ESV) — 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Luke 23:11 (ESV) — 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.

John 18:22 (ESV) — 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”

John 19:1 (ESV) — 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.

He was crucified

Lk 23:33

Luke 23:33 (ESV) — 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

He suffered separation from God

Mt 27:46

Matthew 27:46 (ESV) — 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

See also Ps 22:1

Psalm 22:1 (ESV) — 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

Jesus Christ’s attitude to his suffering

He did not retaliate in his suffering

1 Pe 2:23

1 Peter 2:23 (ESV) — 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

See also Mt 27:12–14; Lk 23:34

Matthew 27:12–14 (ESV) — 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Luke 23:34 (ESV) — 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

He grew through the experience of suffering

Heb 5:8

Hebrews 5:8 (ESV) — 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

See also Heb 2:10

Hebrews 2:10 (ESV) — 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Jesus Christ’s sufferings were necessary for salvation

Lk 24:26–27

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.

See also Lk 24:46–47; Ac 3:18; Ac 17:3; Ac 26:23

Luke 24:46–47 (ESV) — 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Acts 3:18 (ESV) — 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.

Acts 17:3 (ESV) — 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

Acts 26:23 (ESV) — 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Jesus Christ suffered as a unique sacrifice

Heb 7:27; Heb 9:25–26

Hebrews 7:27 (ESV) — 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:25–26 (ESV) — 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

The Christian experience of suffering

Believers share in Jesus Christ’s sufferings

2 Co 1:5

2 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV) — 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

See also Mt 25:34–40; Ac 9:4–5; Ro 8:17; Php 3:10; 1 Pe 4:13

Matthew 25:34–40 (ESV) — 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Acts 9:4–5 (ESV) — 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Romans 8:17 (ESV) — 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Philippians 3:10 (ESV) — 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

1 Peter 4:13 (ESV) — 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Jesus Christ’s sufferings are an example for believers

1 Pe 2:21

1 Peter 2:21 (ESV) — 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

See also Jn 16:18–20; Php 2:5–7

John 16:18–20 (ESV) — 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

Philippians 2:5–7 (ESV) — 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 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.One of the most common responses is bitterness — a deep resentment for the pain we all go through. While suffering can undoubtedly sow the seeds of bitterness and resentment, that is not how Christians should respond to it. Instead, we are called to see suffering as a part of life meant to dissatisfy us with the present fallen world and to instill in us a longing for eternity. To unpack this idea, consider the three main aspects of suffering:

Suffering as a Consequence of Sin

The first truth about suffering is the recognition that it is alien to God’s plan of life. That might sound incredible, but to the Christian worldview, it is vital. Suffering is a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin against God (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21).

Suffering is in our lives because we are living in a broken world. Some suffering is due to our sinful and wrong choices, but some is due simply to the world being fallen. This aspect of suffering should drive us to long for a better world, a world redeemed and freed from sin, a world that God will one day come again to establish (Romans 8:19-23).

Suffering as a Tool of Sanctification

Nothing is so broken as to be unusable by God. Although suffering is alien to His goal for humanity, God uses it now as part of our development as people. Nothing forces a person to confront their true self like suffering. Suffering causes our focus to turn inward, to face those parts of ourselves we might otherwise ignore. God can use suffering then to develop us into better people: the people who can love and enjoy Him forever (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).

Suffering as a Test of Faith

Finally, suffering is the crucible by which we find our center and demonstrate the truth of our faith to the world. In times of intense pain or turmoil, we cling to what we have placed our hope in. In this way, suffering reveals whether our faith is a mere childish hope or a factual reality.

Here we see suffering as a call to live out a better and more faithful witness to the world. Like the prophet Habakkuk, suffering calls us to declare to those around us, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:18).

As we develop an understanding of how to approach suffering, we must be clear that suffering never becomes good. Suffering remains evil. What must be understood though, is that suffering can be redeemed; it can be made purposeful. When we are burdened beyond our strength, we must not become bitter but instead allow our faith to make us better. For the Christian, we must see suffering as a trifold call to long for a better world, to seek to become a better person and to live out a better witness.

There are still wars, evil, death, injustices, abuse, and murder. There is still something wrong within our human nature.

God calls this sin and it started after creation at the time of the fall when Adam and Eve rebelled against God.

God made a promise to the serpent who is Satan the Deceiver,

Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and her offspring;

he shall bruise (crush) your head,

and you shall bruise (crush) his heel.”

The promise of an offspring of the woman who would crush and defeat Satan and redeem a people for himself.

God later makes a covenant promise to King David that his kingdom would reign forever.

But, he and his descendents continued a downward spiral of unfaithfulness that resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and the sacred temple.

Israel is then exile to Babylon.

This is a catastrophic event that shook their faith to the core.

Isaiah initially describes a future judgment, hope, and messianic King.

In this later section of Isaiah, the prophet speaks to these exiles who are asking, “What happened to God’s promises and his future kingdom?”

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

God’s plans have never been thwarted.

His plan is for a future Kingdom in the line of David will only be sustainable if its citizens are righteous.

This text of sacred scripture presents the message that

God’s Servant came to 1) Suffer and become a sacrifice in order to 2) Save his people from their sins, and this will all be for His eternal 3) Satisfaction.

This is not the messiah that Israel longed for, but it was the messiah that God foreordained to ultimately bring his people out of bondage to sin into a perfect life with their King in an everlasting Kingdom.

The NT writers see in this text as the clearest prophecy in the OT describing the purpose of Jesus, who is God and man, coming to this earth to bring salvation for His people.

As a reminder, Messiah is Hebrew and the word Christ derives from Greek and both mean God’s anointed.

Outline

1. God’s Servant came to Suffer and become a sacrifice

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

God speaking

52:13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.

He is not just a servant, but God’s Servant

Act wisely. Not a victim, but uses suffering to serve God’s puroses

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 will only be accomplished through his suffering.

Why did Jesus need to suffer?

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

Through suffering, God’s servant, Jesus, is able to fully understand the trials my life and your life, but he accomplished this without sinning.

For Jesus to become our representative, he had to he experienced the complete range of suffering while living perfectly his entire life from birth to death.

Just like you and I, he had to suffer socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Hebrews 2:17–18 17 Therefore [Jesus] 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.

a. God’s servant came to suffer Socially.

Isaiah 53:2 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground

God brings his servant to life in a literal and spiritual dry land. Not a normal place for a tree to sprout up. Feable beginnings. What can come of this twig. How can a kingdom be established?

As a servant , Jesus was not born in a palace.

He was born in a lowly manger in the small village of Bethlehem, and laid in a feeding trough.

Jesus then grew up in Nazareth. He was a Nobody- The son of a carpenter.

Jesus was not only poor, but ignored.

Vs. 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.

He had no form or majesty that we should look at him.

Unlike King David. 1 Sam 16:12. who had beautiful eyes and was handsome. Jesus is not the attractive conqueror.

The people of his day did not see a halo over his head

He was not the popular kid in school.

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 as we suffer socially, but he did it without anxiety, anger, or jealously for his focus was to serve his heavenly father.

And, Jesus suffered 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,

3 … he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

Why was he man of Grief? Not over his sin and troubles, but ours. He bore our griefs and our sorrows

We includes you and I.

Suffered Socially emotionally, and physically

c. Physical suffering

Isaiah 53:4–5 (ESV)

4 … He was 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.

Christ experienced physical pain in his bones, muscles and nerves that was exacerbated on his journey to the cross.

the chastisement brought us peace with God in reconciliation. We are reconciled to God by free grace., Christ paid the price of our free peace.

d. And he suffered Spiritually

4b. smitten by God,

We sometimes use this verb as a positive affection. I am smitten with my wife, Joyce. This Hebrew word however means beaten, struck and killed. Important note is that the one who afflicted him was not Jewish leaders, our sin, or the great deceiver, but God himself.

On the Cross Jesus cried out “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?”

God the Father for a moment turned his back on his suffering servant who carried our sins. Jesus experienced the ultimate in spiritual suffering for our transgressions.

God’s Servant came to live a full life of suffering socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically while living life of righteousness and perfect obedience to His father

Luke 24:26–27 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 (to include Isiaah 53) the things concerning himself.

Not only did he suffer for our iniquities, but Christ provides comfort and hope to his people who are also suffering.

Until we see God we will not fully understand why we are currently suffering in our relationships, inner turmoil, illness, and eventual death.

Jesus, God’s servant who came to suffer does understand your pain and sorrow. He has experienced it.

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

a. OT sacrifices for sin had to be repeated indefinitely. Christ was Sacrificed once for all of our iniquity

But, why do we need salvation?

vs. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah is talking about our nature, not our deeds. The sheep are the illustration. Sheep go astray- that is their nature. That is why they need a shepherd.

We, like sheep, have all turned away from God, and are now lost.

Our Human condition is flawed. Sin is part of our fallen nature and we continually find ourselves turning away from God.

Psalm 14:2–3 (ESV) (Romans 3:10) 2 The Lord looks 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.

We are the sheep who have gone astray and have abandoned God, yet the LORD has laid on His servant our iniquity.

b. Atonement

Jesus became a sacrifice to atone for our sins.

Vs 5…he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

In the final day of his life this servant of God was humiliated, beaten, scourged and died for us.

Jesus had no sin, by our sin is transferred to this suffering servant- The theological term is imputation.

This is the first half of the Gospel:

By becoming God’s servant who suffers and becomes our sacrifice, Christ brings innocence to His people.

He was perfect, but did not protest in his own defense. In v7,

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.

His mission was not to defend himself, but to die, and in

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?

He is cut off from the land of the living, It appears that this is the end, as God’s Servant has no children to carry on his legacy and royal line.

Isaiah 53:10a

10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief;

This is all a part of God’s Decree.

1 Peter 3:18 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,

In God’s Sovereignty, Christ’s suffering has meaning, purpose and hope. And this give us meaning, purpose and hope in our suffering as well.

God is not pleased with the act of agony or suffering for his servant, but the results of that suffering is providential used by God to further His purposes in the history of redemption.

vs 9

And they made his grave with the wicked

As a crucified criminal, he should have been thrown into Valley of Gehenna and burned with the trash.

But, his humiliation starts turns a corner.

9b and with a rich man in his death,

This prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 27:57–60

Jesus Is Buried

57 … there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.

He was buried with honor

3. God’s Servant will be Satisfied

God’s servant suffered and died and then raised from the dead for HIS satisfaction.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

Jesus on the other side of the cross sees all of the riches of redemption for His people.

11b

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

This is the rest of the Gospel. First, God’s people are made innocent of their sin by the sacrifice of the suffering servant and now they are also accounted righteous, not by their works, but by the finished work of Christ.

This is double imputation

Jesus takes our sin to make us innocent, and God give Christ’s righteous to those are in him. Christ is our advocate. We can now become part of the Kingdom of Heaven, for God now see’s Christ’s righteousness in us.

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

It appeared the servant would be cut off, but God’s servant will have a lineage. In vs 11 He will make many to be accounted righteous. This is his offspring. His adopted sons and daughters that he calls brothers and sisters- Joint heirs.

This message provided hope for those in exile in Babylon and hope for us today.

With Christ’s righteousness, we too can be satisfied.

Matthew 5:6 (ESV) 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

God’s servant in v10

shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

days will be prolonged- Live forever.

Romans 6:9 (ESV)

9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

This satisfaction of the finished work of Christ validates that the suffering servant’s mission on earth was not meaningless. The Trinitarian plan would come to fruition and provide meaning and purpose for all those who are a part of God’s family.

Your servant labor in the Lord is not in vain. Suffering and Pain with no meaning is futile. For the Christian, someday we know why we had social, emotional, physical and spiritual suffering and will be satisfied.

53:12- Because of his willingness to be numbered with the transgressors; bearing the sin of many, and making intercession for the us, God gives his servant the victors wreath in dividing him a portion with the many and he shall divide the spoil with the strong.

Back in Isaiah 52:13 Christ is now high and lifted up, and is exalted.

Isaiah 52:15

Jesus is King and with the coming second advent all worldly kings will recognize his authority, shut their mouth, see and understand the story of God’s Suffering servant.

Isaiah 53 can be summarized in Philippians 2:6–11

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.

Conclusion

vs 1 Who has believed what he has heard from us?

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

Oswalt- The Servant did not come to tell people what God wants, rather, he came to be what God wants forus.

God was not willing to leave us in this guilty and condemned condition. He planned from ages past to send a Suffering Servant, and "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

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 the Lord Jesus Christ. If you do not know the risen Christ, is God calling you now?

For those who are In Christ, remember that Christ understands your suffering and has a purpose and plan for your life. We are to be reminded that our righteousness comes only from Christ and with this gift we are able to demonstrate his love in this broken world as His servants.

We are now celebrating the 1st advent of our Messiah during this Christmas season, and now awaiting the second advent.

In Revelation 22:20 Jesus says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Christ is now exalted as King having come first as the suffering servant, and when he returns again his eternal Kingdom will be established with his family declared innocent and in Christ righteous.

This brings lasting peace, joy and satisfaction for God and His people.

This Kingdom in Rev 21 is described as the dwelling place of God with man

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

Amen.