The Suffering Servant Brings Salvation. April 4, 2021 Isaiah 53:4-11

Isaiah 53 is known for its description of the ‘suffering servant’. While some Jewish attribute the identity of the suffering servant to the nation of Israel and some say it is King Hezekiah. Many New Testament writers clearly identify the suffering servant as Jesus Christ. Take a walk with us as we try to prove that the suffering servant is indeed Jesus Christ.  

Verse 4 says he hath borne our grief and sorrow’. The Lord placed our iniquities on his back. HIs suffering seemed like a punishment from God. But it was all a part of God’s plan.  It was Jesus who was nailed to the cross by his hands and feet. He was pierced in the side by a spear and water and blood came flowing out. He was pierced for our transgression and crushed for our iniquities. The suffering servant could be nobody but Jesus.  And the execution was a crushing mental ordeal. Jesus even asked if the cup could be passed from him. But he ultimately wanted to do the will of the Father. It was us who failed to do the will of the father. We were like sheep that went astray. Everybody doing their own thing, seeking our own happiness. We were each searching for our own means of salvation. Isaiah said that the servant was rejected by the very same people he came to save.  Isaiah goes on to say the suffering servant was oppressed and afflicted yet he never spoke a single word. He was like a sheep led to slaughter, and like a sheep to a shearer, he stood silent before his accusers. He did not declare his innocence, though he did nothing wrong. Acts 8:33 said the same thing about Jesus. He was taken from prison, to his trial and led to his death. No one spoke up for him. Even his disciples deserted him.

 It was determined before the beginning of time that Jesus would die for the sins of mankind. Isaiah said that he made his grave with the wicked. We believe the wicked to be the two thieves on the cross. Also ‘with the rich’ means he was buried in the family tomb of Joseph Arimathea, a wealthy disciple of Jesus. Isaiah said that he had done no violence and there was no deceit in him. We know that Jesus was without sin. The suffering and grief Jesus went through pleased God. The similarities between the suffering servant and Jesus are too numerous to overlook.  Jesus was doing the will of God. Jesus’ death on the cross made it possible for us to be reconciled with God through his son. Because of Jesus’ death many became children of God and became co-heirs with Christ. The blood of bulls, and goats was not enough, only the blood of Jesus could take away our sins. The Father, for Jesus sacrifice, exalted his name above all others.

Isaiah 53 is the fourth of the ‘Servant Songs’ from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-13, and 50:4-11 are the others. 1 Peter 2:19-25 also identifies Jesus as the suffering servant.