The Suffering Messiah

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.