The Suffering Servant – Advent Day 19

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions.  He was crushed for our iniquities.  The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.  All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.  But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him” (Isaiah 53:5-6)

The book of Isaiah is the “gospel” of the Old Testament, and Isaiah 53 is the heart of the gospel message.  I encourage you to read the entire chapter.  You will see Jesus all over the page.

Look at these New Testament passages about Christ that echo Isaiah’s prophecy.

  • “He was pierced through for our transgressions.” (Isaiah 53:5)
  • “Christ was delivered up for our transgressions.” (Romans 4:25)
  • “He was crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5)
  • “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.” (I Peter 2:24)
  • “By His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
  • “By His wounds you were healed.” (I Peter 2:24)
  • “The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” (Isaiah 53:6)
  • “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many.” (Hebrews 9:28)

Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53.  His suffering accomplished our justification.  And His suffering came to an end when His sin offering was completed.

“When His soul makes an offering for guilt [our guilt], He shall see his offspring [those who have gone astray who have believed and returned as His children]; He shall prolong His days [death is not the end, the servant will live forever]; the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand [all of this will be accomplished according to the will of the Father](Isaiah 53:10).

Jesus is the suffering servant who suffered and died in our place.  And God placed on Him the iniquities of us all.

Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, because Jesus was there from the beginning!