Isaiah 53 – The Suffering Servant
On Resurrection Sunday we celebrate the most important event in the Bible. Jesus’ resurrection. On this day, He conquered death. He defeated sin. He overcame the grave. He crushed Satan. It was the ultimate victory of good over evil.
His resurrection is why we are here. There would be no church without it. There would be no New Testament. There would be no Christians. We are happy and rejoicing today because of all that He did. Our sins are washed away. His resurrection gives us hope that one day we too will rise. His resurrection gives us joy.
We should ask, “Why can we be so happy? How did Jesus accomplish this?”
It wasn’t free. Our happiness was bought at great price. Before the victory and the celebration, Jesus endured the worst suffering you can imagine.
Today that is what we are going to talk about, the suffering servant. He endured this terrible suffering so that we don’t have to.
As we realize the depth of what Jesus faced for us, our gratitude as well as our desire to follow Him should grow.
The original Bible did not have chapter and verse divisions. This section on the suffering servant begins in Isaiah 52:13.
At first glance, when you read this passage, your mind will automatically think, “this sounds like Jesus.” And the reason you will think that is sounds like Jesus, is because it does. This passage so clearly refers to what Christ did that it has caused a lot of problems for Bible skeptics. Some said that Isaiah 53 was inserted into the Bible after Jesus. They couldn’t believe that prophecy could be so accurate. However, the Dead Sea scrolls dated to before Christ. They contained an entire Isaiah scroll and guess what? Isaiah 53 was there, long before Jesus ever came. The fact that skeptics wanted to attack Isaiah 53 and claim it was written after Jesus shows that even unbelievers recognize it is talking about Christ. If you were to read this chapter to people who are moderately familiar with the Bible, many would likely ask, “where in the New Testament is that?”
This passage is one of the most important in all of Scripture. Some have called it “the heart of the Bible.” It reveals to us God’s salvation plan. It is not only rich theologically, but it is emotionally moving. And it is all the more powerful because it was written before Jesus came. Many Jews who have come to Christ point to Isaiah 53 as the reason.
I do not think I can do this passage justice, but I hope that after today your appreciation for Jesus and your awe for the Lord and His redemptive plan will grow. I hope that as verse 13 says, He will be “high and lifted up” in your heart. I hope that your faith in God and in the credibility of the Scriptures will be stronger than ever before.
We will look at five aspects of the suffering servant.
I. The Servant’s Shocking Nature
II. The Servant’s Substitution
III. The Servant’s Sacrifice
IV. The Servant’s Satisfaction
V. The Servant’s Supremacy
I. The Servant’s Shocking Nature (52:13-53:3)
Isaiah 52:13 – Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
This passage is about the servant of the Lord. These statements are not surprising. You would expect the Messiah to be wise and to be exalted. Certainly, He was wise. He deftly handled all manner of questions and attacks thrown to Him. However, after these first statements there is an immediate plot twist.
A. Shock: The Servant Was Scarred (14)
Isaiah 52:14 – As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—’
Many were astonished. If you study the gospels, you will find that in many places, it says that people were astonished by Him, the words that He said and the things that He did.
Perhaps most astonishing is the suffering that He would go through. In verse 13, it says that He is high and lifted up. But then it goes through a lengthy description of the afflictions He would face. It doesn’t sound like someone who was high and lifted up.
This speaks to the fact that Jesus descended from on high and would ascend again. God designed things so that those who humble themselves will be exalted. Jesus was the ultimate example of this. He would be exalted for all to see, but before that He would suffer for all to see.
His appearance was so marred that He was almost unrecognizable. A crown of thorns was pressed onto his head. Jesus was beaten or whipped three times. The whip was designed to rip out human flesh and bones. If you have ever seen the Passion of Christ, the depiction there is likely very accurate, but may even understate the beatings he went through. It was so serious that when Pilate brought Jesus before the crowds, he said, “behold, the man.” (John 19:5). Jesus’ figure was so marred that many would not recognize him. His human dignity was taken away.
B. Shock: The Mission Was Worldwide (15)
Isaiah 52:15 – So shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.
Some Bible skeptics have claimed that Paul was the inventor of Christianity. He took Jesus and made him into something else. They say that Romans and its deep theological themes were invented by Paul. But look at this. The concept of Christ’s atonement (and later we will see substitution and sacrifice) is right here. He sprinkled many nations. The word for sprinkle is the same the same as in Leviticus 16:14.
Leviticus 16:14 – And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.
Jesus will sprinkle the nations with His blood. The nations. That is another amazing concept. It is not just for the Jews. The Jewish Scriptures show us that salvation is for all the nations. Even kings around the world would hear about Jesus and His work.
C. Shock: The People Were Skeptical (53:1)
Isaiah 53:1 – Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
The implication is two-fold. Firstly, what does God require from us? Our job is to believe. His servant is the one doing the work. It is His mission, not ours. Our duty is fairly simple, believe. Accept.
As we go through this today, consider that this was written long before Jesus ever came. God put it there ahead of time on purpose. He made it plain to help people believe. People say, “I won’t believe God unless I see Him.” How about if He tells you exactly what He is going to do in minute detail, and then does it all to the letter?
Who has believed? I hope the answer is you.
D. Shock: The Servant was Simple (2)
Isaiah 53:2 – For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
Like a root out of dry ground – Before the time of Christ, it had been a long time since Israel had a prophet. It was a dry time in Israel’s history. Jesus did not come from a noble family. He had humble beginnings, being laid in a manger as a baby. He did not come from a place people expected prophets or important people. When people heard that He came from Nazareth, they despised him. Even Nathanael asked, “can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
How handsome was Jesus?
Modern “Jesus” movies tend to cast him as a very striking man. But that is not what this verse says. His physical appearance was not impressive.
Do you know who the most handsome man in the Bible was?
2 Samuel 14:25 – No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.
Absalom was extremely handsome, but was devoid of character and tried to kill his own father.
Saul was also handsome. He was one head taller than anyone else. But he turned out to be a lousy king. Being handsome or tall does not equate to being a good leader.
It would be more powerful for these movies to portray Jesus as short, normal looking, or even ugly. God could have given Jesus the best looks of any man ever, but He didn’t choose to do that. He wanted to remind us that character, and the inner man, are more important than physical looks.
Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart.
Do not focus on your own physical appearance. And do not be attracted to others because of outward appearance.
E. Shock: The Servant Was Shunned (3)
Isaiah 53:3 – He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
The Messiah was not going to be welcomed and celebrated. People would not line up to give Him awards. His road was a sorrowful one.
Isaiah says that “we” esteemed him not. He writes in the first person, identifying himself as one of the nation of Israel. And the nation as a whole did not believe in or respect Him.
He says that “we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” The Jews who lived at the time of Jesus thought that He was being punished because of His own sins. They held a sham trial and declared Him guilty. He was crucified with criminals as one of them. Many even claimed that Jesus was working with the devil. If He was really on God’s side, then God would not let Him suffer like that, would He?
Rather than receiving the Messiah, they rejoiced at His suffering and believed it was well deserved.
II. The Servant’s Substitution (4-6)
A. The Servant was Smitten for Us (4-5)
Isaiah 53:4-5 – 4 – Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Verse 4 tells us that people thought His punishment was deserved. Verse 5 tells us that He was punished for us. Substitutionary atonement is taught in four statements.
1. He was pierced for our transgressions.
2. He was crushed for our iniquities.
3. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.
4. With His wounds we are healed.
This is four ways of saying the same thing. He took our punishment. He paid the penalty for our sins. His suffering, His wounds, His pain, brought us peace and healed us. The context of this healing is spiritual. Physical sickness is not mentioned. Sin is. He heals us of the affects of sin. Our relationship with Him, broken by the fall, can be restored.
Notice the detail even in the words used.
Pierced. His feet and hands were pierced with nails.
Crushed. The weight the cross crushed Him and He couldn’t lift it. More than this, there was unseen weight of sin upon His shoulders.
Wounds. He had wounds from the whip, wounds from the nails, and a wound from the spear.
Remember again, this was written long before these things happened. The substitutionary atonement was taught in the Old Testament long before Jesus came.
Application – Are you feeling the weight of your sins on your own shoulders? Do you feel crushed? Do you feel guilty? Overwhelmed by sin and its affects? You don’t have to. Jesus died in your place to take that load off you. Stop trying to carry it yourself and give it to Him.
B. The Servant Was Submissive (6)
Isaiah 53:6 – All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
This is a verse often used when sharing the gospel. It shows us two things, our problem and the solution.
Our problem – Sheep are not actually as dumb as we often think. However, they have a very strong tendency to flock.
“Sheep have a strong instinct to follow the sheep in front of them. When one sheep decides to go somewhere, the rest of the flock usually follows, even if it is not a good “decision.” For example, sheep will follow each other to slaughter. If one sheep jumps over a cliff, the others are likely to follow.”
https://www.sheep101.info/flocking.html
Sheep do not do well without a shepherd. And they don’t do well following other sheep instead of the shepherd. Adam was the first sheep to rebel against God. And after him, all of us followed His example. Jesus said that the way to destruction is broad. People often follow the crowd without thinking. And the crowd is not following God.
Simply put, human’s problem is rebellion. We go our own way instead of God’s way.
Solution – You might expect the verse to read like this, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; so the Lord punished them.”
But it doesn’t say that. Rather than punishing the sheep for their rebellion, God put our sin onto to the back of His Son.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Someone has to carry your sin. You can carry it yourself (and face the consequences) or allow Him to carry it for you.
III. The Servant’s Sacrifice (7-9)
A. The Silent Sacrifice (7)
Isaiah 53:7 – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
This does not mean that Jesus was totally silent. A sheep is not necessarily totally silent. But a sheep follows along to the shearer without resistance. It does not rebel. It does not try to escape. It does not attack the shearer. It allows itself to be sheared.
It is interesting that in verse 6 we are compared to sheep. In verse 7, Jesus is compared to a sheep. He became what we are so that we can become what He is.
It is not the only place Jesus is compared to a lamb. John the Baptist called Him the “lamb of God.” He is our Passover Lamb.
Jesus was meek like a sheep. He was gentle. He followed His Father obediently like a sheep, even to death. He was passive and non-resistant toward those who wanted to harm Him.
He went through three trials prior to His execution. In the Jewish trials, they tried to gather false witnesses against Him. People came in with false stories. But Jewish law required 2-3 people to agree before an accusation would stick. The false accusations they slammed Jesus with did not stick. Finally, they got two people to agree that Jesus said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” (Matthew 26:61)
What he actually said was, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)
They were the ones who would destroy the temple (His body), not Him.
Could you sit there while people lied about you and keep quiet?
Even Paul got angry when he was wrongfully put on trial and said, “God strike you, you white wall.” (Acts 23:3). Not one insulting or hasty word came from Jesus’ mouth.
Later Pilate asked Jesus many questions and He was mostly silent, answering only “It is as you say” when Pilate asked Him if He was king of the Jews. Pilate was incredulous at Jesus’ patience and self-control.
Mark 15:4-5 – And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Then on the cross, people scoffed Him saying that if He is really the Son of God, come down! Like a sheep before its shearers, He was silent.
Could we do that? Or would we send lightning bolts down on our accusers?
At any point, Jesus could have escaped. But He didn’t. He was passive and followed the mission set before Him like a sheep. And it is those qualities that are often highlighted of Jesus. Even in Revelation, when He is glorified on the throne, He is still often described as a lamb.
The lamb was not weak. He could have destroyed His oppressors. But He chose to lay down His life as our sacrifice. He chose to be shorn of honor, comfort, worldly pleasure, reputation, and finally His life.
Application – Are you following the example of Christ? Are you hasty to defend yourself? Are you quick to insult those who accuse you? Do you find it very important to lay out the “facts” so that others will see you in a good light? God allowed Jesus (even directed Jesus) to go through this trial for a reason. Every trial He allows in your life is for a reason as well. Even the timing of it is arranged by Him. Let us be calm, patient, and gentle in the face of trials, trusting in our good heavenly Father, even as Jesus did.
B. The Substitutionary Sacrifice (8)
Isaiah 53:8 – By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
Here for the first time in this passage we see that the suffering Christ would endure will end in death. It was unimaginable that the Messiah would die. The text said, “who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living.” Days before Jesus’ death He entered Jerusalem in a victory parade. The people of the city rejoiced. They showered Him with praises and Messianic titles. Everything was going well. They had witnessed His miracles. They had heard His teachings. Now they were ready for Him to cast out the Romans, take the throne of David, and begin His reign over the world.
It didn’t enter their minds that He was about to die. Even the disciples, whom He directly told that He would die, didn’t believe it. The idea of His death didn’t match with what they were seeing. They were seeing power. Miracles. Authority. They were seeing the divine.
And yet death is how it ended. Once again, we see the theology of substitution. He was stricken “for the transgression of the people.” The only one to take their sins was to die for them.
God’s plan is not something that people would or could ever come up with.
Now some Jews interpret Isaiah 53 as referring to the nation of Israel. This interpretation was not common in the past, and has only become popular after Christ as a way to try to refute that this chapter refers to Him. There are many reasons looking at the text that this cannot refer to Israel. One is that Israel as a nation was never cut off from the land of the living. It has suffered, but it has never at any point been cut off.
C. The Sinless Sacrifice (9)
Isaiah 53:9 – And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Once again, we see amazing detail in the prophecies given. Jesus was crucified as a criminal with the wicked. One criminal was crucified on the right and one on the left. Generally, people who were executed were buried in common graves. This is likely the intention of Jesus’ executioners.
But it never came to pass. Joseph of Arimathia as a rich man who had bought a nice tomb, likely for himself. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus and laid Him there.
That tomb provides some of the key evidence for Jesus’ resurrection that a mass grave would not. The key one is that the tomb was easy to spot, seal and guard. And when Jesus rose, it was verifiably empty.
It is again emphasized that He was not killed because of His own sin. He was innocent of all the charges against Him.
IV. The Servant’s Satisfaction (10-11)
A. Satisfaction in Obedience (10)
Isaiah 53:10 – Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
Our sin nature makes us want to blame others. It was the Pharisees fault. It was the Jewish leaders’ fault. Throughout history, many have blamed the Jews for Jesus’ death. Those who do are wrong and they are missing two key points.
Firstly, it was all of our sin that put Him there. We are responsible. If you are looking for someone to blame, do not look farther than yourself. It was each of our sin that propelled Jesus to the cross.
Secondly, it was “will of the Lord.” Some translations say, “It pleased God to bruise Him.” This wasn’t coincidence or ill fate! It was God’s sovereign plan from before the beginning of time.
Jesus gave His life as a ransom payment to cover the costs of sin. But who did this payment go to? The Chronicles of Narnia, written by C.S. Lewis, depicted it as being paid to Satan. Actually this ransom is paid to God the Father. It was His wrath that needed to be satisfied.
On the eve of His death, Jesus said, “not my will, but yours be done.” His death on the cross was the will of God. While He took no delight in the death of His Son, the sacrifice was holy and just. It was a perfect plan and when it was fulfilled it pleased God.
Those who believe that it is never God’s will for people to suffer, should look again at this passage on the suffering servant. Sometimes going through trials is God’s will and when He puts us through those, it is for a specific reason.
But death was not the end for Jesus and the suffering you may face now is not the end for you either!
It says that “He shall see His offspring. He shall prolong His days.”
He is going to die and at the same time He is going to live. How can we explain that? The resurrection!
He saw His spiritual offspring, believers all around the world who were adopted into the family of God because of Jesus’ work on the cross.
B. Satisfaction in a job well done (11)
Isaiah 53:11 – Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
The Messiah will be victorious. He will go through immense suffering. But at the end of it all, He will look upon the fruits of His work and He will be satisfied. What does this mean?
It means that Jesus had no regrets. He did not go through the cross and say, “it wasn’t worth it.” He looks at you and me and the other sinners He has redeemed and He is satisfied. Think about that. Your salvation is immensely satisfying to Jesus on a deep level.
It is a similar to a mother who gives birth. The pregnancy is difficult. The labor is painful. All of that fades when the mother holds her newborn baby in her arms. She is satisfied with no regrets.
Looking forward to the fruit of His labors is what motivated Jesus to endure the cross.
Hebrews 12:2 – Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
V. The Servant’s Supremacy (12)
Isaiah 53:12 – Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
The Messiah is rewarded for His humiliation. The image is of a conqueror dividing spoil after defeating an enemy. Many passages teach us of the future glorification of Christ. Philippians 2 tells us that every knee will bow before Him. Hebrews 2:8 tell us that He put all things “in subjection under His feet.”
Notice also what Jesus is doing now. He is making intercession for us. His work didn’t stop at the cross. He is still actively working on our behalf!
In the end, the sufferings and humiliation of Jesus only bring Him more glory and majesty! “I do see that out of this dunghill of sin Christ has brought this diamond of his glory by our salvation. If there had been no sinners, there could not have been a Saviour. If no sin, no pouring out of the soul unto death; and if no pouring out of the soul unto death, no dividing a portion with the great. If there had been no guilt, there had been no act of expiation. In the wondrous act of expiation by our great Substitute, the Godhead is more gloriously revealed than in all the creations and providences of the divine power and wisdom.” – Spurgeon
Conclusion
We have looked at five aspects of the suffering servant.
I. The Servant’s Shocking Nature
II. The Servant’s Substitution
III. The Servant’s Sacrifice
IV. The Servant’s Satisfaction
V. The Servant’s Supremacy
How do we respond?
A. If you have not believed, believe.
B. Say “thank you.” Let him be “high and lifted up” in your heart.
C. Live “thank you.” He gave His life as a ransom for you. Your life is not your own. You were bought with a price. Therefore, we have no right to be selfish. We should give ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice.
D. Follow His example. Humility. Submission to the Father, even in the face of suffering. Loving self-sacrifice for others.
Reflection Questions
- Which aspect of this passage most stood out to you in this passage and why?
- How does Jesus’ satisfaction (verse 11) in His finished work encourage you personally?
- Why do you think God planned for Jesus to be normal looking when He could have made Him handsome and strong?
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