EXAMINING ISAIAH 53

Isaiah 53

Introduction:

1. Of all Messianic prophesies, this one appears the most remembered. The Ethiopian eunuch studied its content with concern regarding “Of whom does the prophet speak; of himself or some other man?” (Acts 8:27 – 34) Philip’s reply does not astound us as Bible students, as we realize its significance. He began at the same place and preached unto him Jesus. (vs. 35) Nonetheless, we need to recognize some do not yet understand this truth. We need to know why this passage speaks of none other than Jesus Christ.
2. Further, we need to understand its prophesy.
1. Who is the speaker of verses 1 through 3?
2. Why was the message unheard (not believed), though it came from the power of God?
3. Precisely how does Jesus “bear our sins” on the tree?
4. How did all this please the Father?
3. The value of this prophetic passage equals the value of its fulfillment. Without its occurrence, God becomes a liar. With its occurrence, God is proven true, and Jesus is proven the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey Him. (Heb. 12: 1 – 2 -- Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I. WHO SPEAKS THE PROPPHESY? (vs. 1 – 3)

A. Isa. 52:13 – 15

B. It speaks of God’s servant; “the arm of the Lord” = His power

1. Isa. 51: 9 - 16

2. John 12:35 – 38 -- hen Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

C. Thus, it seems the RIGHTEOUS prophets (including Isaiah and all before him) speak as the nation of Israel.

1. Yet, the HEARING of Israel was not attentive (“dull of hearing”) due their lack of faith in the message.

2. Matt.13: 13 – 15 -- herefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

D. The difference between how GOD saw the promised Messiah and how Israel saw Him.

1. “For he shall grow up before Him (God) as a tender plant, and as a rootout of a dry ground.” See also Isaiah 11: 1 - 9

2. “He (the promised One) hath no form not comeliness; and when we (Israel) shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.”

E. The Messiah was rejected even before He came!

1. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

a. The Jews anticipated a Messiah that would come with great pomp and circumstance. Instead, Jesus came as the most humble of mankind. Though the wise men sought Him, and shepherds heralded His arrival, the Jews as a whole sought only to despise the notion and reject the reality of the Saviour of men.

b. His life was filled with sorrows and His acquaintance with grief was NOT of a temporal sort; rather it was the despising nature of His fellows toward Him and their rejection of His truth!

i. “He came unto His own and His own received Him not.”

ii. John 6:66

II. THE PROPHET SPEAKS BOTH REGRET AND CONFESSION OF ERROR REGARDING THE POPULAR NOTION OF THE MESSIAH

A. “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”

1. Though the despised and rejected Him, the people would come to understand He had done nothing amiss. Instead, He was the sinless one sacrificed for them!

2. “borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” means literally, “He carried them away.” He did not “become a sinful man” in our stead, but rather became the SACRIFICE for our sin; the ATONEMENT; the REDEEMER! It is as if He “lifted up as to relieve the burden” of the sins of the people.

B. “Yet, we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”

1. To the populace, God was punishing Him for something He had done.

2. Their estimation of this Promised One was no better than had He been a common criminal.

C. “But, He was wounded for OUR transgressions, He was bruised for OUR iniquities: the chastisement of OUR peace was upon Him; and with His stripes WE are healed.”

1. The confession of His innocence is humbling. Compared to Him, what man merited life?

2. “Bruised” means, “to break down.” Those who demanded and administered His crucifixion could only “break down” His flesh … they could never break down His obedience, love and sacrifice!

3. “The chastisement of our peace” means, “the chastisement by which our peace is gained.”(Eph. 2: 14 – 17)

4. “With His stripes we are healed.” 1 Peter 2:21 - 25

D. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

1. “There is none righteous, no one one.” (Rom. 3: 9 – 26)

2. God placed on Jesus NOT THE GUILT, but the PRICE OF ATONEMENT for our sins!

E. Regardless of the PHYSICAL treatment, Jesus endured it without complaint!

F. “He was taken from prison and from judgment” = “In His humiliation, His judgment was taken away.” (Acts 8:33) He was cut off from those who lived and was not permitted the joys of those of longevity.

G. THE REASON IS AGAIN CONFESSED: “FOR THE TRANSGRESSION OF MY PEOPLE WAS HE STRICKEN.”

H. Verse 9 = And his grave was appointed with the wicked; But he was with a rich man in his death - Although he had done no wrong, Neither was there any guile in his mouth.

III. GOD WAS PLEASED IN THIS OBEDIENCE

A. John 6:37 – 40

B. John 12:27 – 33

IV. HE DID IT ALL FOR US!

A. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – 21

B. Hebrews 9:27 – 28 -- And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

C. 1 Peter 2: 21 - 25