Jesus - The Misunderstood and Rejected Servant

Chad Payne

Jesus - The Promised and Perfect Savior • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Jesus is the suffering servant whose mission was not to impress but to save.

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The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 53

Who has believed what we have heard?

And who has the arm of the LORD been revealed to?

2 He grew up before Him like a young plant

and like a root out of dry ground.

He didn’t have an impressive form

or majesty that we should look at Him,

no appearance that we should desire Him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.

He was like someone people turned away from;

He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 53

Who has believed what we have heard?

And who has the arm of the LORD been revealed to?

2 He grew up before Him like a young plant

and like a root out of dry ground.

He didn’t have an impressive form

or majesty that we should look at Him,

no appearance that we should desire Him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.

He was like someone people turned away from;

He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.

Read Text: Isaiah 53:1-3

Who has believed what we have heard? And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to?

And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to?

2 He grew up before Him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at Him, no appearance that we should desire Him.

and like a root out of dry ground.

He didn’t have an impressive form

or majesty that we should look at Him,

no appearance that we should desire Him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.

a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.

He was like someone people turned away from;

He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.

Introduction

The theme of the book of Isaiah could be summarized by the statement, “God Saves Sinners”.

The bible is a book about Jesus and God’s redemptive plan to save sinners. From beginning to end, God is the hero of the bible. For the believer, the one who has repented of their sin and in complete trust cast themselves upon the grace and mercy of God, Jesus is our righteousness. He bore upon himself at the cross what was mine to bear.

This chapter is actually a lament. It is a song of mourning written reflecting the heart cry of believing Jews who now understand God’s message and desire for others to believe the message of the Messiah.

It is sad to consider that many Jews still to this day reject Jesus. There are some who have believed and been converted. But to the Jewish Rabbis even today Jesus is known as the Transgressor, the hanged or cursed one. The Hebrew Word for Jesus is Yeshua - throughout the years Jewish rabbis have removed the ending a and changed it to Yeshu, which means “Let His name be blotted out”. He is rejected by them.

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

is a prophecy concerning the resurrection, ascension and exaltation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The chapter is written in view of a redeemed people looking back and explaining why the Messiah, Jesus was rejected.

I. An Unappealing Message

“Who has believed what we have heard?”

These questions represent Jews who had accepted the message, who had believed even though many others did not receive the message.

A. The Message would be Astonishing

This question sets the stage. Few would believe. Many would reject. Because the message would contain elements that many would not accept. But this is at the heart of faith and trust, which is at the heart of a relationship with God.

Essentially the prophet is saying, “Who will believe the preaching?”

For centuries the prophets of God had been speaking of righteousness and the promise of a messiah - one who would change the hearts of the people, the Jews and the Gentiles. Yet the message would be rejected.

A. The Power of God’s Arm

“And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to?”

There is some personification taking place here. The scripture is using the image of the arm of God to point to the power of God.

Salvation is all of God - Only the power of God can save and redeem a person.

, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel,,ab because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.”

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), .

“who has believed what we have heard?”

The Israelites for centuries had seen the power of God deliver them, and yet many still rejected God and chased idols.

This is the doctrine known as double imputation. My sin was imputed to Christ and is righteousness was imputed to me by faith in him on the basis of his perfect life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection.

This passage is quoted in :

, Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. But this was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said: Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to?

37 Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. 38 But this was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said:

Lord, who has believed our message?

The same could be said of today - many have experienced the miracles of God - and yet they do not truly believe.

Many would reject the message of the Messiah - the report and lament in this chapter points out the reasons why:

And who has the arm of the Lord

He was

II. The Humble Savior

been revealed to? s

“He grew up before Him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground.”

“He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at Him, no appearance that we should desire Him.”

“a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.”

A. His Birth

Born in a humble place with lowly surroundings.

“this kind of symbolism suggests that this person was not born in a palace of a world empire with all the luxuries that are usually afforded to persons of royalty.”

Gary Smith, , vol. 15B, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2009), 445.B. His Ordinary Appearance & Way of Life

B. His Ordinary Appearance & Way of Life

“In light of modern models of leadership and “Christian stardom” of some pastors and Christian television personalities one wonders if this Servant would have appeared as someone desirable according to modern leadership criteria. Would people recognize him for who he really was or would they ignore him or reject him? J. Oswalt suggests that “Deliverers are dominating, forceful, attractive people, who by their personal magnetism draw people to themselves.… People who refuse to follow that leadership frequently find themselves crushed and tossed away. This man does not fit that picture.” (Gary Smith, , vol. 15B, The New American Commentary)

C. His Horrible Death

In light of modern models of leadership and “Christian stardom” of some pastors and Christian television personalities one wonders if this Servant would have appeared as someone desirable according to modern leadership criteria. Would people recognize him for who he really was or would they ignore him or reject him? J. Oswalt suggests that “Deliverers are dominating, forceful, attractive people, who by their personal magnetism draw people to themselves.… People who refuse to follow that leadership frequently find themselves crushed and tossed away. This man does not fit that picture.

B. His Way of Life & Appearance

We tend to judge value by appearance. We look at the surface of things and judge superficially. Jesus didn’t try to impress like that.

Gary Smith, , vol. 15B, The New American Commentary)

1. He Didn’t Behave or Look Like Royalty

There were no remarkable external features that would cause people to give attention to him. Different from previous Kings such as Solomon and David.

We have these televangelists and charlatans running around preaching a prosperity message - no gospel at all - and their flying around in their million dollar jets and living in their multi-million dollar homes with a multi-million dollar income fleeced from uninformed and innocent sheep who have been led astray by a wolf in sheep’s clothing- not a true servant Pastor.

2. His Life Included Suffering

The Savior would be known to have gone thru painful experiences and great suffering. It would be a central part of his life. Surely a blessed and anointed Messiah would not suffer and live in such a humble way.

Our Savior - the Lord Jesus Christ - the Suffering Servant of suffered…not just at the cross…but he knew suffering in his life.

, “ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.”

The result of this was:

Because of this, if we know Christ, we know peace in the storm - even when happiness eludes us - peace remains because of the access we have to our Father

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), .The result of this was:

, “ Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.”

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), .

You’re not meant to be happy all the time. There are people here this morning who are not happy. There are people here this morning who are battling sickness and pain. There are people here this morning whose hearts are broken and crushed. There are people here this morning who have relational problems with family or friends. There are people here with children who are breaking their hearts. There are people here perhaps—and listening to me—who are not quite certain how they’re going to pay the rent this month. And for them to paste a smile on their face and pretend to be happy would be hypocrisy. It is a distortion of the gospel and the word of God to believe that God exists to make sure you are always happy. You cannot be happy in this world fully, but you can be satisfied in Jesus even in the midst of heartache and pain. Because of Jesus and our faith in him we can sing, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!”

Adrian Rogers, “The Prince of the Prophets and the Prince of Peace,” in Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (Signal Hill, CA: Rogers Family Trust, 2017), .

III. The Despised & Rejected Savior

“He was despised and rejected by men...”

A. His Own People Despised Him

He is still despised today - culturally, many do not have a problem with God. But mention Jesus as God and they despise the notion. They reject and despise his name.

“He was like someone people turned away from...”

B. His Own People Rejected Him

He is still rejected today.

C. His Own People Saw Him as Unimportant

“He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.”

“And although Christ rose from the dead, the Jews think of him always as crucified and dishonored, and look on him with disgust and contempt.”

He was seen as unimportant - unnecessary and rejected. Their expectations were not met, and so they rejected the Savior. Are we guilty of devaluing Him - of seeing him as unimportant and in a way rejecting him. You say, well preacher Jesus is my Savior. Ok, do you follow Him? Do you obey his word? Do you worship Him?

And although Christ rose from the dead, the Jews think of him always as crucified and dishonored, and look on him with disgust and contempt.

Joseph Haroutunian and Louise Pettibone Smith, Calvin: Commentaries (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1958), 152.He was seen as unimportant - unnecessary and rejected.

Their expectations were not met, and so they rejected the Savior. Are we guilty of devaluing Him - of seeing him as unimportant and in a way rejecting him. You say, well preacher Jesus is my Savior. Ok, do you follow Him? Do you obey his word? Do you worship Him?

Conclusion:

Philip Paul bliss wrote the marvelous Hymn, “Man of Sorrows”

“Man of Sorrows,” what a name For the Son of God who came Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood; Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless, we, Spotless Lamb of God was He; Full redemption—can it be? Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished!” was His cry; Now in heaven exalted high; Hallelujah! what a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King, To His kingdom us to bring, Then anew this song we’ll sing Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Lets go back to the first verse and the questions stated there. Essentially the verse is asking, “Who has believed the preaching of the good news of the Messiah - Jesus Christ?” and “Who has God delivered and saved by the mighty power of his arm?”

Acts

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 59

Indeed, the LORD’s hand is not too short to save,

and His ear is not too deaf to hear.

2 But your iniquities have built barriers

between you and your God,

and your sins have made Him hide His face from you

so that He does not listen.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood

and your fingers, with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies,

and your tongues mutter injustice.

4 No one makes claims justly;

no one pleads honestly.

They trust in empty and worthless words;

they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity.

5 They hatch viper’s eggs

and weave spider’s webs.

Whoever eats their eggs will die;

crack one open, and a viper is hatched.

6 Their webs cannot become clothing,

and they cannot cover themselves with their works.

Their works are sinful works,

and violent acts are in their hands.

7 Their feet run after evil,

and they rush to shed innocent blood.

Their thoughts are sinful thoughts;

ruin and wretchedness are in their paths.

8 They have not known the path of peace,

and there is no justice in their ways.

They have made their roads crooked;

no one who walks on them will know peace.

9 Therefore justice is far from us,

and righteousness does not reach us.

We hope for light, but there is darkness;

for brightness, but we live in the night.

10 We grope along a wall like the blind;

we grope like those without eyes.

We stumble at noon as though it were twilight;

we are like the dead among those who are healthy.

11 We all growl like bears

and moan like doves.

We hope for justice, but there is none;

for salvation, but it is far from us.

12 For our transgressions have multiplied before You,

and our sins testify against us.

For our transgressions are with us,

and we know our iniquities:

13 transgression and deception against the LORD,

turning away from following our God,

speaking oppression and revolt,

conceiving and uttering lying words from the heart.

14 Justice is turned back,

and righteousness stands far off.

For truth has stumbled in the public square,

and honesty cannot enter.

15 Truth is missing,

and whoever turns from evil is plundered.

The LORD saw that there was no justice,

and He was offended.

16 He saw that there was no man—

He was amazed that there was no one interceding;

so His own arm brought salvation,

2, “Indeed, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. 2 But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen.

, “Indeed, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. 2 But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers, with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongues mutter injustice. 4 No one makes claims justly; no one pleads honestly. They trust in empty and worthless words; they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity. 5 They hatch viper’s eggs and weave spider’s webs. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched. 6 Their webs cannot become clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their works are sinful works, and violent acts are in their hands. 7 Their feet run after evil, and they rush to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and wretchedness are in their paths. 8 They have not known the path of peace, and there is no justice in their ways. They have made their roads crooked; no one who walks on them will know peace. 9 Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we live in the night. 10 We grope along a wall like the blind; we grope like those without eyes. We stumble at noon as though it were twilight; we are like the dead among those who are healthy. 11 We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. 12 For our transgressions have multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. For our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: 13 transgression and deception against the Lord, turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lying words from the heart. 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far off. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. 15 Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil is plundered. The Lord saw that there was no justice, and He was offended. 16 He saw that there was no man— He was amazed that there was no one interceding; so His own arm brought salvation,

, “We grope along a wall like the blind; we grope like those without eyes. We stumble at noon as though it were twilight; we are like the dead among those who are healthy. 11 We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. 12 For our transgressions have multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. For our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities:”

and His ear is not too deaf to hear.

His arm is not too short to save you this morning. Will you trust in Him and stop groping along in the dark?

, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, n12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

2 But your iniquities have built barriers

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), .

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 10

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, n12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. s

between you and your God,

and your sins have made Him hide His face from you

so that He does not listen.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood

and your fingers, with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies,

and your tongues mutter injustice.

4 No one makes claims justly;

no one pleads honestly.

They trust in empty and worthless words;

they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity.

5 They hatch viper’s eggs

and weave spider’s webs.

Whoever eats their eggs will die;

crack one open, and a viper is hatched.

6 Their webs cannot become clothing,

and they cannot cover themselves with their works.

Their works are sinful works,

and violent acts are in their hands.

7 Their feet run after evil,

and they rush to shed innocent blood.

Their thoughts are sinful thoughts;

ruin and wretchedness are in their paths.

8 They have not known the path of peace,

and there is no justice in their ways.

They have made their roads crooked;

no one who walks on them will know peace.

9 Therefore justice is far from us,

and righteousness does not reach us.

We hope for light, but there is darkness;

for brightness, but we live in the night.

10 We grope along a wall like the blind;

we grope like those without eyes.

We stumble at noon as though it were twilight;

we are like the dead among those who are healthy.

11 We all growl like bears

and moan like doves.

We hope for justice, but there is none;

for salvation, but it is far from us.

12 For our transgressions have multiplied before You,

and our sins testify against us.

For our transgressions are with us,

and we know our iniquities:

13 transgression and deception against the Lord,

turning away from following our God,

speaking oppression and revolt,

conceiving and uttering lying words from the heart.

14 Justice is turned back,

and righteousness stands far off.

For truth has stumbled in the public square,

and honesty cannot enter.

15 Truth is missing,

and whoever turns from evil is plundered.

The Lord saw that there was no justice,

and He was offended.

16 He saw that there was no man—

He was amazed that there was no one interceding;

so His own arm brought salvation,

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), .

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