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Read Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. OUR verse-by-verse study of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 53 continues. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. This verse is quoted in Matthew in response to the physical healings Jesus did. Matthew 8:15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.” The physical healing was Jesus’ demonstration of the spiritual healing the Lord was doing for mankind. Our deepest infirmities, of course, are the sins that infect our mind and heart against God. It is sin that disables us from a full relationship with God. God warned Adam of death if he disobeyed his commands. Death is sin’s great disease. Jesus “took up” our sins onto the cross, offering the healing – the remission – of sins. There is a powerful lesson here of Jesus’ physical healing power. Our faith over the centuries that “Jesus heals” has diminished to “doctors heal”. In truth, it is the Messiah alone who will take up our diseases for the glory of his name. It is Jesus’ healing that will bring us sinners into his glory. yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. The Lord Jesus told his disciples that he did only as the Father spoke to him. And he prayed to the Father, thankful he had finished the work the Father had prepared for him. John 17: 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. In addition, Matthew 27:45-66 records Jesus’ last words and the heavens’ response to his suffering. They are words of submission to the Father and love for humanity. Isaiah’s words are a humbling reminder of our Lord’s dying for our living. Read Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. He was despised and rejected by men. This is an easy prophecy to understand. Many times form his birth to his resurrection, Jesus was despised, ridiculed and rejected. The ruling Jews and the crowds would often threaten him with stoning and physical danger. They sank to the lowest of opposition as they cried out, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22) Scripture even indicates how his mother and brothers sought to take him from his teachings (Mark 3:33-35). Many times, too, the disciples rejected his clear teachings of suffering, resurrection and eternal rule. Until Jesus’ ascension and the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost, the disciples rejected the true identity of their Rabbi. Acts 1:6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” familiar with suffering Here is further emphasis Jesus’ mission would involve great pain, suffering, disappointment and grief. Not only was Jesus’ incarnation a brutal physical existence, we must know that all who follow Jesus can expect various forms of rejection and suffering. The gospel and those who proclaim the Good news will likely face even more intense persecution before Christ returns. So many Christians suffer throughout the world from terrible persecutions. There is no respite from this until the Christ returns. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Yes, Jesus was despised on earth, and he is despised now. The hate speech against our Lord echoes through the generations because mankind is ashamed in our sin. Since Adam in shame hid from the Lord in the Garden, we cannot stand face-to-face before our holy God until we confess, “Forgive me, Father. I have sinned. Jesus is my Lord.” In shame, we denounce the One who calls us to righteousness. It is our way to elevate our lives above the Lord’s commands. Be of faith to know the Lord looks kindly to his own: 1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” In Christ’s shame on the cross, you are free from sin and shame. Read Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53:2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. WE continue with our view of our Suffering Servant King from Isaiah 53: He grew up before him like a tender shoot The Son of God grew up in the Father’s presence. Jesus was of the line of David, an ancestry line that had no power in Judah at the time Jesus was born. There was no way that any person in Israel would know Jesus’ identity based on his physical birth and life. The “tender shoot” is one who will not be noticed. He is, though, made strong for his ministry in God’s watchful care. Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn't you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” like a root out of dry ground When we think of dry ground, we may consider plants struggling to grow in dusty soil. They are withered, barely holding to life. Jesus’ human life began when the Romans impoverished Israel through heavy taxes. We can imagine his peasant parents struggling day-to-day for physical needs. The people Israel were also living in spiritual dryness. Think of Jesus’ ministry, too. It began in the “dry ground” of the wilderness with his baptism and temptation. The Savior came into and from economic, spiritual and physical dryness. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him. People would not be drawn to Jesus of Nazareth. His physical appearance or his position in life were unworthy of special note. His hometown was even considered a place of no value. John 1:46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. One very essential truth of a God-empowered life is that it is God who empowers us. I know that may seem redundant, but we must believe this. We often say, “No.” to God’s call because we feel too “tender” – too dry, too unworthy and incapable of using our gifts. When God raises you up from a tender shoot to an oak of righteousness to himself, you must trust him to empower your life to complete your call. There is no one too “tender” or “dry” for God’s purpose. Isaiah 33:2 O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Read Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed ISAIAH has to this point prophesied of the Savior and the good news of God redeeming and blessing his people. In this chapter Isaiah now reveals to the Jews a very difficult truth of the Savior: He will suffer. The 12 verses of Isaiah 53 are so specific of Jesus’ servant, suffering life, orthodox Jews often forbid its teaching. In fact, many forbid teaching Isaiah because Jesus of Nazareth so completely fulfils this remarkable work. The blind do not see. The dear do not hear. But you, Christian, see and hear your Servant King’s love for your soul. We’ll remain in this chapter several – perhaps 12 – days to see Jesus’ deep, abiding love for you. I hope you read the entire chapter each day. This is well-worth knowing because it points directly to your soul. Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? The apostle Paul writes of the difficulty of believing the gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. When we think about it, how can a man who died on a cross redeem our sins? How can one man who is said to be perfect become sin, so you can be without sin? How can the Son of God so deeply suffer a cursed criminal’s death? Because of the Bible’s truth, people have considered God’s message unacceptable. Some may even say, “I believe Christ died for my sins.” but find it difficult to accept the whole message of what Christ’s death accomplished for us: Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.” Our sin nature is a doubting, “show-me” nature. We hear this “too-good-to-be-true” good news and think, “All of this cannot be so.” The sin nature is also a self-condemning nature. “I’m not worthy of Jesus’ taking my sins. They are too many and too big.” blocks our faith. But praise God some believe. I hope you are one. Your faith is God’s revelation to you. Romans 5:9-11 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Do you believe His message? The Holy God has done this through the suffering servant because he loves you. Isaiah 52:6-7 Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I. 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
THIS chapter begins with God’s call to Israel to awaken and prepare to wear garments of splendor and be free from the chains on your neck. This is very good news, isn’t it? The LORD reminds Israel of their history of bondage, trouble and unbelief. Then he points ahead once more to the trouble in Babylon. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock.” (Isaiah 52:5) It is that context of a troubled nation that the Father God announces to Israel a most blessed future. “Therefore” tells Israel their suffering will be done. The Father will not long tolerate his people’s exile. He will end the mocking of his name among the pagans. As he freed his people from bondage in Egypt, he will free a new generation from their punishment in Babylon. A day will come to revive God’s name in Judah. His people will know his name, and they will hear and obey his wondrous words. Read Nehemiah and Zechariah, and you will find these words fulfilled. As the Jews return to Jerusalem not only must they rebuild the city, the temple and their economy, but they must rebuild their relationship with their Creator. Nehemiah 8 records the community coming together to hear God’s Law read – not for a few minutes or even for an hour, but for six hours at a time! So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. What would the men and women do with what they heard? Nehemiah 8:6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” (May it be so! May it be so!) Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Their feet on God’s mountain in Jerusalem would move to live for the Lord and to tell the good news of salvation in the LORD God Almighty. This prophecy even extends to the New Testament and to the new heaven. From this same mountain has come the gospel to proclaim peace, with the good tidings – the good news of salvation, “Our God reigns!” How are your feet? Walking in worship? Isaiah 52:10 The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Read Isaiah 51
Isaiah 51:1-3 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; 2 look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many. 3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. AS we consider Isaiah to be a view of the entire Bible, this chapter can easily be set alongside Revelation. Here is first the affirmation God has formed a nation. He “cut” Abraham from the world to form Israel. As a result, Abraham and Sarah are the spiritual parents of all who call Jesus, “My Lord and Savior.” Second, out of the barren desert of sin’s exile will rise the new Jerusalem. This is the new re-created Eden for all who are righteous in the LORD’s salvation. What hope and joy is yours in Christ! Live in gladness and thanksgiving. Savor the sound of singing forever. Third, there is a warning. As in Revelation, amid the final promise the LORD God admonishes us to trust his power and authority to save you and to triumph over evil: Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, 13 that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor? Be secure in the LORD. No one can oppress his own to keep you from heaven’s glory. One final point. You may be wondering about the verse 9 reference: you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through? This is not the faithful Rahab of Jericho in Joshua 2. This Rahab is a Canaanite mythological creature that had great power in the pagans’ stories. God is mocking the myth and the idea of any force greater than he. God’s warnings and promises must continually turn our minds from some idea there is a greater force than God at work in the world. Think about this. Are you prone to speak of luck, coincidence, happenstance, etc. as if they have any power in your life? You must cleanse these faithless myths from your mind. How can one be true to God and believe he has no authority over events? Consider Judah at the time of this prophecy. It was a country troubled in many ways. God’s prophets proclaimed destruction and exile. The prophets also preached renewal and salvation. Do you wonder if the Jews looked past the trouble to see the triumph? How Isaiah 51:11 The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Read Isaiah 50
Isaiah 50:6-9 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. THIS is the third of four “Servant Songs”. These are passages that are specific to Jesus’ ministry. You can read them in Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4-11 and 52:13-53:12. This chapter is God’s prophecy of the Savior’s victory through Israel’s unbelief. Think of this. The Living Word of God – Jesus Christ – told Isaiah what would happen to him when he came to the earth! Our God is an awesome God to plan and to fulfill his word, even to the cross. These words clearly came true in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry, humility, suffering and resurrection. Verse 6 is about Jesus’ humiliation and flogging. During Jesus’ ministry the ruling Jews attempted to humiliate our Lord and were quick to mock him: Matthew 27:41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. There was then the abusive spitting in Pilate’s court: Matthew 26:67 They spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him. Then came the flogging: Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. (John 19:1) The mocking even continued at the cross: “Come down from the cross and save yourself!”(Mark 15:30) Yet, there is the Savior’s victory in his suffering. Isaiah 50:8 He who vindicates me is near. Paul confirms Jesus is vindicated – approved for his faithful work: 1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. The Father approved the Son through the Spirit because Jesus was fully confident in the Father’s will. Verse 9 “The Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. This was Jesus’ firm approach to complete his work, even as he knew the agony ahead. He had his eyes on heaven: Luke 9:51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. We praise God Jesus’ suffering led to vindication and victory. He is the innocent sacrifice who has defeated sin and death. The Savior’s work is worthy of a Servant Song. Sing your praise to him. Psalms 150:1 Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. |
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November 2024
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