Reactions: Unexpected and Expected

Michael McCoy

Isaiah 53 • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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In this message, we will consider the faithful obedience of the Servant unto death, and we will ponder the lack of thought about his suffering.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction:

Recently, we have weighed the Lord’s Suffering Servant and the reasons Isaiah gives for the unbelievable nature of the message he bears.

Isaiah admitted to universal guilt.

“All of us.”

Part of the unbelievable nature of Isaiah’s message has to do with the Servant bearing the iniquities of all of Israel.

Today, we will see a contrast with the truths admitted by Isaiah in Is. 53:6 and the truths about the Servant.

Sheep have gone astray

A sheep falls in line.

This will challenge us to think about where we rank God and his will in our lives.

An Unexpected Reaction

Isaiah reminds his readers the Servant will face specific conditions.

This builds to how the Servant will react in the face of those conditions.

So much will be exacted from him.

“He was oppressed” = “the exertion of demanding oppressive pressure for payment or labor.” The Servant would be placed under high demand. Much would be demanded of him. Much would be exacted at his expense.

He was also humbled.

Isaiah now shifts to focus on how the Servant of Jehovah will react.

Think of Jesus before the Sanhedrin.

Think of Jesus before Pilate.

Jesus did not make vile threats.

We must consider the contrast with the previous verse.

What would make someone be the recipient of undeserved punishment?

How does this sheep contrast with the sheep from the previous verse?

Israel, in order to try to preserve its well-being, rebelled against God in search of food, shelter, and security.

They imported other gods.

Their physical well-being mattered more than obeying God.

The Servant will model genuine obedience.

Does God matter more to us than ourselves?

Does obeying him matter more to us than the continuation of our physical lives?

An Expected Reaction

A people already blissfully unaware of what Jehovah will do for them through this servant, looks on will little serious consideration about what is happening. Is this also part of Isaiah’s incredulity?

The Servant’s removal begins with arrest and judgments.

Oppression in Is. 53:8 does not have to refer to the above definition.

Notice the repetition of core ideas already expressed above about the Servant and God’s people.