The Triumph of the Servant

The Servant Will be Exalted ()

Explanation: This is the last of the four “Servant Songs” found in the book of Isaiah. Each of the previous three Song passages have led up to this final revelation of the Servant. Isaiah is divinely inspired to write in such a way as there can be no mistake that the Servant is an individual, not the nation of Israel, and also that this individual will be the long-awaited Messiah.

The Song begins with Behold - a notice to pay attention and to listen and understand what is being said. And, by the Word of the Lord, Isaiah reveals that the Servant will act wisely, meaning that He will be successful in His mission. As a result, the Servant will be worshiped: He will be high, and lifted up, and exalted.

The Suffering of the Servant is not readily understood by people ()

Explanation: The very next verse brings in confusion and seems to be in contrast to what has just been said. Instead of joining in the Exaltation, the listeners and those who will actually be present during the Servant’s sojourn on Earth will be confused. The text declares they will be astonished. The reason for this becomes quickly evident. Instead of a conquering Hero on a white horse, the Messiah is here described as one having his appearance so marred and disfigured by suffering that he no longer even looks human! Quite the reason to be astonished. And, seeing a person in this state, it is easy to see how one could be confused with the idea of worshiping and exalting him. By natural appearance he looks like a failure to be ignored, not lifted up.

Illustration: This is a good time to remind folks that apart from descriptions such as these, we have no physical information about Jesus. With Jesus being a Middle-eastern Jew from Palestine, it is pretty obvious that the white-skinned, blue-eyed, flowing light-brown to blond haired Jesus pictures are not accurate.

Argument: Our world is not really interested in the physical appearance of Jesus. They are more concerned with wiping out the moral Jesus who has authority over them. Our world system doesn’t hesitate to take shots at anything that even remotely resembles Christianity in its effort to wipe out Christian thinking. Our culture at large offers no respect to Christ or His Church, and it openly mocks Christianity as a failed experiment that no longer serves our “evolved” status as enlightened people.

Application: The temptation to cave in to the pressure of our secular culture is powerful, and it will continue to grow, not weaken. This is not a call to fear, but one of firmness. Do not judge by appearances, but stand on the Truth of Scripture

A True Understanding of the Servant’s Mission requires Revelation ()

Explanation: The Song begins at the end of chapter 52 and it continues to the 12th verse of Chapter 53. This is another reminder that the verse and chapter markers are not divinely inspired.

Given the lack of physical stature and presence that befits a King, people dismiss Jesus out of hand. The prophet asks the question about “who will believe what he has heard?” and the answer is absolutely no one. Isaiah gives one of the reasons for rejection in verses 2 and 3 where the Messiah is presented as a normal human man who “grew up” in a neighborhood where others witnessed his human development. This did not fit their pre-conceived notion of a conquering hero appearing out of the mists of time.

Argument: This is a shocking truth, and one that we don’t like to dwell on. We like to think that if we had been alive during the time of the First Advent we would have gladly received Jesus as the Messiah. We think we would not have been as blind as those who could only say, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” (). Truth is, not one person is going to recognize the Messiah on his own. We are told that “None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” ().

Argument: This is a shocking truth, and one that we don’t like to dwell on. We like to think that if we had been alive during the time of the First Advent we would have gladly received Jesus as the Messiah. We think we would not have been as blind as those who could only say, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” (). Truth is, not one person is going to recognize the Messiah on his own. We are told that “None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” ().

That spiritual truth is what makes the Good News so good! Jesus came to bring life and light to mankind, and the Holy Spirit works to convict us of our unrighteousness and our need for the Savior.

Argument: This is a shocking truth, and one that we don’t like to dwell on.

The Prophecy of Isaiah Witnesses, Divine and Human, to the Sin-Bearing, Dying, Living and Victorious Servant

There can be no belief without prior divine revelation; on the basis of human observation alone (2cd, 3ab) there is no discernment of who the Servant really is.

This reality is underscored by , “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Application: This truth should compel us to be thankful. As we acknowledge and accept that we really aren’t good on our own, we become more thankful for the Revelation that God has given us.

Those who remain locked in the darkness of sin will Reject their only means of Redemption ()

Those who remain locked in the darkness of sin will Reject their only means of Redemption (Isa 53:2-3)

Explanation: While it is good for us to rejoice and be thankful that God has graced us with the understanding of Jesus, the sad reality is that there are many who continue to reject and despise Him (v. 3). Isaiah predicted that in spite of fulfilled prophecies, in spite of His miraculous acts and healings, in spite of the testimonies of transformed lives, lost people will continue to reject the Messiah. This is a tragedy because Jesus is the only hope and He is the Only Way.

Illustrate: Families that have a member suffering from rare and debilitating diseases will go to great lengths to receive treatment that might be effective. They will even go to other countries or volunteer for experimental treatments. Is it not sad that the remedy for the world’s greatest disease (sin) is readily available and without cost while being ignored by the masses?

Application: This is why it is so crucial that we are praying for opportunities to have Gospel Conversations. This is why we should be telling people about the Reason for the Season. We don’t have the power to change them, but we can certainly tell them about the One who can!

The Servant suffered and bore the penalty of sin on our behalf ()

Explanation: Isaiah gives a graphic understanding of the Crucifixion. He describes the Penal-Substitutionary understanding of the Atonement. God is Holy and He has a settled wrath against sin. Humans are all (no exceptions!) sinful and under the wrath of God. Jesus, came as the 2nd Person of the Trinity to pay a price we could not pay. God placed on Jesus the sin of mankind; “he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the Righteousness of God.” ()

Argument: This is the message of the Gospel. God Himself paid our debt - He did what we could not. Acknowledging this reality through repentance of sin and placing one’s trust in Him as Lord and Savior is the only way this gift has personal meaning. The Sacrifice of Jesus is limited - it is not universal, and not everyone goes to heaven.

For those who are blessed to be in the family, we have a calling to be ambassadors of this message of reconciliation. We are to be about the business of sharing it with others.

Argument

Application: As we prepare to move towards the Table, we will be having a time of response. For the believer, we are reminded not to partake of the Table in “an unworthy manner,” but instead we are to “examine ourselves.” You may want to come and pray for a lost friend; you may want to repent of a lifestyle that is not drawing your lost friends to Christ; you may need to make things right with a brother or sister. Whatever the need, the altar is open.

For the one who has not yet placed his or her faith in Jesus. Consider that Jesus is your only hope, and by continuing to reject Him, you are remaining under the wrath of God. If the Holy Spirit is convicting your heart of the need to be saved, I urge you to surrender to His call tonight.