Where is the Beauty That We Should Desire Him

Examining the glory of Jesus Christ through a closer look at Isaiah 53

Third Edition

Jerry Smith, Th.D.

Faith Missionary Bible Institute Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee, USA

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Where is the Beauty That We Should Desire Him

Examining the glory of Jesus Christ through a closer look at Isaiah 53

Third Edition

Jerry Smith, Th.D.

Faith Missionary Bible Institute Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee, USA

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Where Is The Beauty That We Should Desire Him? 3rd Edition Cover image source: https://dvcole.wordpress.com/ Copyright © 2016 by Jerry F. Smith All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal. First Printing 2012 ISBN: 978-1-329-87040-6 Faith Missionary Publications. Gruetli-Laager, TN USA

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In loving memory of Lee F. Smith,Mary Ann Smith, Eleanor Chituras,Frank Chituras, Marion L. Smith,Emily Sousa, Alfred Sousa, FrankJones, Charlotte Picentine, RichardLimbaugh, and all the loved ones of my youth. To Babi, Shanon, and Jer-Jer who have endured so much to see this through. Dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ may it be pleasing to Him, and may He be pleased to use it to bless the lives of many.

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Contents How to use this book ................................................ 2

Background of this book .......................................... 3 Introduction to Isaiah 53 ........................................... 6

Orientation to Isaiah 53 .......................................... 10 Verse 1 | The arm of the Lord ............................. 17

“Who hath believed our report?” ......................... 17

“And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” ........................................................................... 20

Verse 2 | No beauty… .......................................... 26 “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground:” ........................ 28 “He hath no form nor comeliness and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him;”......................................................... 30

Verse 3 | Man of sorrows ..................................... 42 “He is despised and rejected of men;” ................ 43 “A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:” .. 45 “we hid as it were our faces from him” ................ 47

“we esteemed him not.” ...................................... 49 Verse 4 | He carried our sorrows ........................ 54

“Surely he hath borne our griefs” ........................ 55 “carried our sorrows:” ......................................... 57

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“we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” ............................................................. 63

Verse 5 | He was wounded .................................. 66

“But…” ................................................................ 67 “… he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” ........................................................ 67

“He was wounded” ............................................. 68 “He was wounded for our transgressions” .......... 69

“he was bruised for our iniquities:” ...................... 70 “The chastisement of our peace was upon him;” 71 “And with his stripes we are healed.” .................. 73

Verse 6 | We…have gone astray ......................... 78 “All we like sheep have gone astray;” ................. 78

“And the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” ..................................................................... 82 “And the Lord laid on Him . . . the iniquity of us all.” ........................................................................... 85

Verse 7 | He opened not his mouth .................... 90

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so He didn’t open his mouth.” 92

“He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,” ........ 97 “And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” ................................. 98

Verse 8 | He was cut off ..................................... 102

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“He was taken from prison and from judgment:” ......................................................................... 102 “He was taken from prison and from judgment…” ......................................................................... 108 “And who shall declare his generation?” .......... 111 “For he was cut off out of the land of the living:” ......................................................................... 112 “For the transgression of my people was he stricken.” ........................................................... 112

Verse 9 | Because he had done no violence .... 114

“He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death;” .............................................. 115 “Because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” .................................. 118 “He had done no violence” ............................... 120

“Neither was any deceit in his mouth” .............. 122

Verse 10 | It pleased the lord to bruise him ..... 124 “Yet…” .............................................................. 124 “It pleased the LORD to bruise him;” ................ 125 “He hath put him to grief:” ................................. 128

“When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,” .................................................................. 129 “He shall see his seed,” .................................... 131

“He shall prolong his days,” .............................. 132

Verse 11 | He… shall be satisfied ..................... 136 “He shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied:” .......................................................... 137

“And be satisfied:” ............................................ 138

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“By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many;” .................................................... 138 “For he shall bear their iniquities.” .................... 145

Verse 12 | He… shall divide the spoil ............... 148 “Therefore will i divide him a portion with the great” ......................................................................... 149

“And he shall divide the spoil with the strong;” . 150 “He shall divide the spoil” ................................. 152

And the chapter ends ........................................ 157

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How to use this book It is my deep desire to know that the Lord would be pleased to use this book in the lives of the readers. When I first started this work, it didn't occur to me HOW it might be used, other than the fact that I had something that I wanted to share based on the series of messages the Lord was pleased to allow me to preach. Only later did I realize that this book could be used in the very same manner which the Lord gave me the messages: by taking Isaiah 53 piece by piece. That being the case, the design of this "devotional" provides the reader with a step-by-step, verse-by-verse, phrase-by-phrase approach to this wonderful chapter and hopefully, the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my simple suggestion is that the reader take one phrase at a time as part of daily devotions. Read the page/-s associated with each phrase one day at a time. Read, consider, meditate, and ask the Lord to reveal more to you; the next day, another phrase. There are a total of forty-four phrases discussed in this devotional; enough for well over a month's worth of devotions as you take a closer look into the depths of Isaiah 53 and I pray, the beauty of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners. May God richly bless you as you partake on this journey. -The Author

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Background of this book In my personal Bible reading in 2010, I was going through the book of Isaiah. It was a splendid time which took a few months to conclude. It took me two weeks to finish reading chapter 53, as I was enjoying every verse, and in some cases, each clause in a verse. It was then that a deep longing to preach this chapter began to arise. I besought the Lord repeatedly, sometimes in profound heaviness of heart, to grant me that blessed privilege to proclaim His Son and work in Isaiah 53. Then, true to His ways, in January of 2011, the Lord had providentially arranged it so that I was given the wonderful opportunity to preach a series of messages from Isaiah 53. Originally, I had planned to preach maybe three or four messages to cover the chapter. But as I began to take a closer look at the individual verses, I saw that they could stand alone, apart from the whole, and still be a message in itself, each proclaiming an aspect of the glory of Jesus Christ and His work 2,000 years ago. I realized that it would be a shame on me (or any man) if I treated this exquisite chapter in 3 or 4 sermons. Therefore, I went with the verse-by-verse expository approach, in order to dig deeper, for buried treasure. I was not disappointed.

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What you, the reader will encounter in this book, is the culmination of my longing to preach Isaiah 53. It is the compilation and editing of each of the twelve sermons which God granted me the privilege to preach in my church. These messages are inherently evangelical, but also inspirational, as the believer is provided a different aspect of one of the most beautiful passages on the Lord Jesus Christ in the Bible. The purpose of sharing these writings is because the message is too precious to keep buried; to stay locked away somewhere never to be heard from again. The Lord reveals to us so that we may share with others. My desire is that you the reader would walk away blessed from this book, and share the same message with others: that there is yet undiscovered great beauty in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. How often, we as believers read through the Bible, or perhaps hear a message from the pulpit, or sit in a Sunday school class and almost yawn when hearing about Jesus Christ. How often we fail to see and enjoy His beauty in His ministry and sacrifice. How many Christians have lost their First Love because their eyes have become clouded by external dressings? Sometimes, we just need to be reminded what the Lord has done for us. This work is in no way an exhaustive "theological," "academic" examination of Isaiah 53, it

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was not meant to be. I prefer to keep things simple. But it is more inspirational in its purpose with the expressed design of aiding (if the Lord be so pleased to) the believer in re-discovering the beauty of Christ which once attracted us to Him without delay, after it was revealed in our hearts; that same beauty and more, as we dig deeper to know Him to a greater degree, and our heart fire for Christ rekindled, recovering that passion we once had for the Saviour. This work may also be used (God be pleased) to draw the non-Christian reader to know more clearly about Jesus, and subsequently bring them to a point of acknowledgement and confession of the Jesus Christ of Isaiah 53 as his only sufficient hope of salvation and righteousness (goodness) before God. The following is the result of reading and reflection, meditation and quiet time, as well as searching the Scriptures, studying through the old commentaries, and seeking the Lord to guide me into all truth. It is indeed an original work guided, directed, corrected, and injected by the Holy Spirit. Thus to God be the glory. And may it be used of God for the reader to see the beauty and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ once again, or for the very first time.

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Introduction to Isaiah 53 We read it, we know it, and some can even quote it. We may read it occasionally to find some comfort, to review history, to examine the sufferings of Christ, but how much do we really appreciate or consider His sacrifice? Do we just glance over it, or do we ever dig deeper? Be assured, the more we examine this passage of Scripture, the more beauty is revealed. It offers one of the most vivid descriptions of the “passion” of the Christ 1 in Scripture (not Hollywood). It was remarkably prophesied about 700 years before it happened. That in itself is a miracle which demonstrates the inspiration of Scripture. However, it not only depicts His PASSION, but also offers descriptions of His PERSON, His PASSIVITY, and His PORTION; each of which gives us a different perspective in which to view the Jewel, the believer’s Precious Treasure . . . the Lord Jesus Christ. The author offers no attempt to “prove” that the Person spoken of in the fifty-third of Isaiah is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God come down from heaven to do a specific redeeming work. It is clear from Scripture that is who is being

1 Not His “feeling” but His “suffering.”

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spoken of, and any effort to demonstrate otherwise would only distract us from the purpose at hand – seeking the beauty of the Lord in Isaiah 53. In fact, as one writer put it, if one were to read it without knowing it was an Old Testament text, they might say it sounds like a Gospel account.2 Read this:

(2) … he hath no form nor comeliness … no beauty that we should desire him. (3) despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief … we esteemed him not. (4) … he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows … (5) … wounded for our transgressions … bruised for our iniquities … with his stripes we are healed. (6) … the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed, and … afflicted … he opened not his mouth … (9) … he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death …he had done no violence, neither deceit in his mouth. (12) … he was numbered with the transgressors … bare the sin of many, made intercession for the transgressors. As we examine Christ in this text and if you are a

believer reading this, you have been given “sacred,” “holy” eyes to behold His beauty. The world is not

2 Unknown internet source

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able to see it (53:2). Therefore, to the believer, God forbid that it should be dull. If you are a Christian and cannot see the “beauty” of Christ anymore, then there is certainly something wrong, because God reveals that beauty to His people at the time of salvation, and as we grow in grace, so that we would desire Him more and glorify Him. To the seeker, this passage of the Bible explains our condition as man(kind), our need of a Saviour, and what He did to redeem sinners.

When God reveals our condition before Himself as a thrice holy God (Isaiah 6:3); He makes Christ attractive to us. Remember your first love? How beautiful he/she was? Everything about them was beautiful; but as the years go by (perhaps if you’re younger, the months) maybe now, not so much beauty or attractiveness. So, we need to be reminded at times of what we first saw in our beloved which drew us to them. It is the same with Christ. He ought to be precious to every believer. But often, as the years go by, our eyes get cloudy, and we no longer see the beauty that we once saw in our First Love. We just mechanically go through the motions of Christianity without stopping to be refreshed, to smell the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley (Song. 2:1), and remember the sweet-smelling Savior of sinners.

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Colossians 2:3 tells us that in Christ is “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Did you ever hear about buried treasure as a kid? How do you get to it? You must dig. We can apply that to Christ – He is our greatest Treasure, so let’s dig deeper. The further we dig, the more glorious Christ becomes. Let Christ be exalted, and He will draw men to Himself (John 12:32); let man be exalted and men will be drawn away from Christ. One way we benefit, the other way we suffer. So, let’s dig and have a closer look at Isaiah 53, one of the most beautiful images of the Person and work of the Saviour in the entire Bible.

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Orientation to Isaiah 53 Isaiah was a prophet of Judah, whose ministry lasted about 60 years (from 740 B.C. – 680 B.C), and included the reigns of five Kings (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh).3 Much of his ministry was directed towards the idolatrous practices of the nation at that time, her alliances with alien nations, warning of the inevitable invasion of Babylon, the accompanying Judean captivity, and her future restoration and glory. However, Isaiah has been called the “evangelical prophet” because he says so much about the redemptive work of the Messiah. Other prophets also speak of a Messiah: Moses, the Psalmist, Jeremiah, Daniel, Amos, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi; but Isaiah says more about the Person, His coming, His work, and future Kingdom of Christ than any other Old Testament book.4 As a matter of fact, our text has been called the Old Testament Gospel, and one early writer speaks of God using this chapter alone to convert people:

“It is so undeniable a proof of the truth of Christianity, that the bare reading of it, and

3 Ryrie, Charles. 1994. Comparison of the Four Major Prophets, p 1090. Ryrie Study Bible, KJV. Moody Publishers, Chicago. 4 Ryrie, Charles. 1994. Introduction to Isaiah, p 1008. Ryrie Study Bible, KJV. Moody Publishers, Chicago.

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comparing it with the Gospel history, has converted some unbelievers, and brought them home to the faith and religion of Jesus Christ.” 5

Isaiah 53 foretells: The sufferings of the Messiah; the end for which he was to die and why He suffered and died; and the benefits to man resulting from that amazing event and the results of His suffering.6 Among the many divisions the author has examined, Charles Ryrie has divided the chapter into “bite-sized” portions. According to Ryrie, Isaiah 53 can be divided into four parts: The Suffering Servant: His PERSON, (1-3) His PASSION, (4-6) His PASSIVITY, (7-9) and His PORTION (10-12).7 And it is this sectioning that we will follow through the remainder of this discussion. Isaiah 53 is a continuation of Isaiah 52:13-15 which mentions the great acceptance of the gospel among the Gentiles:

“(v13) Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. (14) As many were astonied at thee; his

5 Lowth, Wogan, W. Quoted in Isaiah 53, Verse 1 Introduction. British Family Bible Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain]. 6 Isaiah 53, Verse 1 Introduction. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 7 Ryrie, Charles. 1994. Notes on Isaiah 53, p. 1071-1072. Ryrie Study Bible, KJV. Moody Publishers, Chicago.

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visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (15) So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.”

Here in verses 13-15, Isaiah speaks of: (a) The positive reception which the gospel of Christ would find among the Gentiles; (b) That nations and their kings would welcome it; (c) That those who had not seen him should believe in him. In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul, and his epistles fulfill this prophecy (Acts 13:46). Now here, almost in amazement, Isaiah foretells the unbelief of the Jews toward their own Messiah (even though they had been told of Him repeatedly in Scripture, from Genesis to Malachi). The Lord spoke of this in John 5:39-40:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (40) And ye will not come to me …”

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The Lord speaking to the unbelieving Pharisees8 who spent hours and years studying the Scriptures, tells them that everything they had been studying points to Him. Yet they did not believe.9 Now bring that here to us today and we may observe that those who study the Bible for the sake of knowledge (perhaps the case in many a seminary), may well know the Bible, but may have missed the whole point of the Bible:

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

The whole point: Jesus Christ. May we learn then to put our confidence in Christ the Person, and His finished work as revealed to us in His Word, and not in our Bible knowledge.

8 The spiritual leaders of Israel in the days of Christ, who would spend a lifetime mastering the Law (the Scriptures), even being called “lawyers.” 9 Compare with Matthew 16:15-17.

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Now yes, we should know what the Bible says (we are commanded to “study,” and “be ready”), but we ought not to seek to simply fill our heads with knowledge in order to get a passing grade or meet a certain requirement. The Bible was written for us to know Christ. The well-known verse in 2Peter 3:18 says grow in “grace,” and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: “Grace” means sitting at the Lord’s feet, learning of and from Him; following Him, bearing fruit; obeying His commands; enduring trials and purgings. “Knowledge” here is knowledge of what? Look at the rest of the verse; of our Lord and Saviour; of Jesus Christ: His work, His attributes, His glory, His beauty. It is not merely knowledge of the Bible, law, doctrine, theology, church, alone for their own sake, apart from Christ, isolated from Christ. They cannot be separated from Christ. Indeed, they are all under Christ. Thus Hebrews 12:2 says: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith …” What does the rest of the verse say. . . “… who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

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“For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb 12:3).

It’s about Christ: Christ and Him crucified; Him resurrected; Him interceding. It’s about Christ: our strength and the power of God, not just “Christian living;” because if our lives, hearts, and minds, are centered on Jesus Christ, everything else will fall into place, and we will most certainly live “Christian” lives. We won’t have to emphasize our ability; we will naturally follow Him, be more like Him. As we learn at Christ’s feet, we will naturally learn the doctrine, the Bible, the theology, because we will be so consumed with knowing Him more intimately. Hence the Lord tells us that we are to, “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind” (Luke 10:27). If everything in us is centered on Him, everything else around us will fall into place. Getting back to our text: Here in 52:15, surprisingly, the Gentiles (those of us who are not Jews), having no prior knowledge of this event, of this Person, would believe on Him, while the Jews, who had the Scriptures which testified of a coming Messiah, would not. John 1:11 makes reference to this as well as Acts 13:46: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” [Paul and Barnabas

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speaking to unbelieving Jews in Galatia] “lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

Therefore, in awe, Isaiah writes 53:1 . . .

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Verse 1 | The arm of the Lord

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”

“Who hath believed our report?”

“Believed.” Isaiah is incredulous that his people, the Jews, would not believe. As wondrous as the miracles were which Jesus wrought, and as powerful as the doctrine was he taught; very few embraced it, and in general they shut their eyes against all evidence, and refused to hear or understand. Thus, the Lord speaks to His people in John 10:38 and 14:10 in order to confirm the Scriptures:

“But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

Now, while Gentile nations have heard and believed the gospel, the Jews, to this day lie in

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unbelief, having rejected the Wisdom of God, Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 1:24). Most Jews today are still waiting for their “Messiah,” their “deliverer,” their “King,” even though He has already come. “Report,” speaks of the Old Testament prophets’ prophecies that a Messiah, a Deliverer, would come. It is the message they preached, and the implication is the same today: Just as we have the Gospel today, so too, they had the Gospel then. Our “report” as Christians is the Gospel. Our command is to share it with others (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). That is what we are called to do as believers. That’s our part. But, we cannot “believe” the Gospel unless GOD first does a work in our hearts: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: … (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Corinthians 4:3) In the beginning, the Spirit of God moved upon the “void” and “darkness” giving life in Genesis 1. And it is the same today. His Spirit must also move upon the “void” and “darkness” in the heart of a lost (dead) soul: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). The Gospel is “hid” to the lost who sit in darkness, thus ours is to “preach,” (teach, share, witness, give

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out tracts, Bible study, and the like) but the saving part, the giving of sight; the giving of a heart to desire, seek, and know Jesus Christ, is of God, because “salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9), lest anyone should boast in their own ability (Ephesians 2:9). Therefore as Christians, we must do what God calls us to do which is share the “report,” the Gospel, and humbly plead to God to grant understanding. It is all of God, and it is God who must bring us to see our need of Christ:

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).

That’s why GOD gets the glory in HIS salvation, because He works in us:

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

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“And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”

In the Bible, a reference such as this to the “arm” speaks of power. In this verse, the “arm of the LORD” is His power to deliver, His power to deliver the Jews from their past circumstances (Egypt, their wanderings, their enemies) and His power to save. The arm of the LORD is:

1. The Messiah, Jesus Christ:

“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1Corinthians 1:24).

2. The Gospel:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). The reference here in Isaiah is to Jesus Christ and His Gospel. The arm of the LORD is His power to save in overcoming sin and our condemnation by it. The arm of the LORD is Jesus Christ; His power in salvation in overcoming the darkness of the human heart.

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Thus it is clear: Wherever Christ and His Gospel are not preached, there is no power. And where Christ is not preached, there is nothing for God to “reveal.” That is why where salvation is the matter at hand, Christ must be preached, must be taught, and must be shared:

“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God …” (1Corinthians 1:24). “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit …” (1Corinthians 2:10).

No Christ in preaching, teaching, sharing, visitation, Bible studies, etc. means no Life, no Light, no Bread, no Way, no Truth, no Door, no Shepherd, no True Vine, no Lamb of God, no blood.10 If we desire to see people saved, how can we neglect Him in teaching and preaching? Everything must relate to Christ where souls are concerned. How about you today? Have you ever believed the report? Has the Lord ever revealed His arm to you? Have you ever seen yourself as needing the “arm” of God, Jesus Christ, to save you? Have you ever looked to Him with eyes of faith and trusted Him

10 See John 1:4; 8:12; 6:48; 14:6; 10:9; 10:11; 15:1; 1:29; Ephesians 1:7 for these descriptions of the Lord.

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for your soul’s salvation from sin and its eternal consequences? Isaiah 59:1 says:

“Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

The report is this: We are separated from God because of sin, condemned, doomed. And if God left us to ourselves, we would rightfully perish (John 3:18). Every one of us is a sinner in the eyes of God: We are born sinners (Psalm 51:5); none of us are righteous (Romans 3:10); all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); we are sinners from head to toe, and even our hearts are wicked: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9); even our good works are filthy in the eyes of God: all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6); and we are already condemned from birth (John 3:18). We must understand this in order to see the “beauty” of Christ (verse 2). God could have left us to ourselves, dead in trespasses and sin, but He didn’t. Out of his love, and for his glory, God made a way:

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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

He made a way – the only way that we could come to Him; that we could be forgiven; that we could be righteous in His sight . . . to start again; to be clean before Him; to have an eternally blessed relationship with Him as it was in the beginning before Adam’s sin.11 If you see yourself as an unholy sinner, the BAD NEWS is that you are condemned, you are helpless and hopeless of yourself, and you must look outside of yourself for salvation. The GOOD NEWS however, is that Christ died for you!

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners …” (1Timothy 1:15).

God says:

11 Compare with Genesis 3:8. God was walking in the Garden calling out for Adam.

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“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2Corinthians 5:21).

This is the message of the hour. The Bible says come, rest in His Word on the finished work of God through Jesus Christ:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished…” (John 19:30).

He did the work. He suffered for us. He took our guilt and shame so you need not! If you have already believed and are resting on the finished work of Jesus Christ for your soul’s salvation, be faithful and continue sharing the “report," the Gospel. God will do His will, and it is not for us to know who will “believe our report,” for the secret things belong to the LORD (Deuteronomy 29:29). Of the many that hear the report of the Gospel there are few that believe it or even listen to it, so don’t be surprised or discouraged dear Christian when you share the Gospel and people don’t respond. It’s because it hasn’t been “revealed” to them yet. Just keep sharing. God looks for

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faithfulness from you (“well done my good and ‘faithful’ servant”) not results – leave that to Him.

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Verse 2 | No beauty…

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”

Last chapter we saw how Isaiah 53 could be divided into four parts: His person, (1-3) His passion, (4-6) His passivity, (7-9) and His portion (10-12). We learned that the events in Isaiah 53 were written approximately 700 years before they actually happened; and that they were written in such great detail, as if they were written by an eyewitness – a testimony to the inspiration of Scripture. It also offers one of the clearest descriptions of the Passion of the Christ in the Bible. Isaiah 53 can also be considered the Old Testament Gospel. For this cause, Isaiah was known as the evangelical prophet of the Old Testament, since much of His writings cover the coming, the work of, and the future kingdom of the Messiah.12 Isaiah 53 is preceded by Isaiah 52:13-15 which speaks of the Gentiles’ acceptance of the Messiah

12 Ryrie, Charles. 1994. Introduction of the Book of Isaiah, p 1008. Ryrie Study Bible, KJV. Moody Publishers, Chicago.

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which the book of Acts testifies to as the fulfillment of this prophecy. Thus, when we get to Isaiah 53:1, he offers a statement of shock or amazement that “who” among his people, the Jews, has “believed” their (the prophets’) “report;” and then, “to whom” is the “arm of the Lord” (going to be) revealed. We also saw just what the arm of the Lord is: the power of God through Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 1:24) and His Gospel (Romans 1:16) to save souls. From verse one we may see at least two implications: 1. That a person can read and study the Bible their whole lives (as the Pharisees did) and still miss the point – Jesus Christ (John 5:39, 40); the Jews had Isaiah 53, as well as other Scriptures, yet they didn’t see Christ. A person may have great knowledge of the Bible, of theology, of doctrine – but never know the Author (and finisher of our faith). Not just know about the Author, for Eternal life is knowing God through His Son Jesus Christ (John 17:3). It is a relationship not acquired information. Having a degree, a title, or reading many books does not guarantee spiritual understanding, only God reveals spiritual things. 2. That since Christ and His Gospel are the power of God unto salvation, we must be faithful in preaching, teaching, and sharing Him if there will be any power, or anything for God to reveal

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That brings us now to our current text a continuation of verse one. Having expressed his shock at the Jews lack of belief of their Messiah; under the Holy Spirit’s leading Isaiah goes on to express why. As we examine the PERSON of the Suffering Servant: which describes the Messiah – (a) what the Jews were to expect (b) what He would be like (c) what they (the Jews) should look for in their Saviour and (d) why they rejected Him. If you are familiar with the last days of the Lord’s earthly ministry, you know that He was crucified at the almost unanimous consent of His people. Isaiah 53:2 gives us the reason why (humanly speaking).

“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground:”

A new, baby, “tender” plant is pretty weak, easily damaged, and fragile. Have you ever seen one? And so are we humans. The frailty of the human body is clear in Scripture: “He knoweth our frame…” (Psalm 103:14); “we are as the grass” (1Peter 1:24); we are only an illness, heartbeat, or injury away from death; the weakness of the flesh – and the Lord took upon Himself this frail fleshly frame (John 1:14) to accomplish His work: He had to become a man in order to take our place and suffer what we suffer. That He might also be an effective High Priest, “For

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we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). A “root” out of dry ground is coarse, rugged, not worth a second glance, or even thought. Have you ever seen one? It just looks like a dried stick in the ground. Who cares? This speaks of the Lord’s lowliness, and lowly background: At the time of His arrival, the Jewish nation was conquered and enslaved by the Romans, poor, and despised1314; The line of David had decayed and become poor, and perhaps even forgotten1516; He came from Nazareth of Galilee, where “nothing good” was expected to come from (John 1:46); Nazareth was considered the “bad part of town,” a “slum” or low-income housing area, filled with crime, shady characters, and poor education (like

13 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 2. Thomas Haweis Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 14 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 2. Thomas Scott Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 15 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 2. Matthew Poole’s Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 16 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 2. Thomas Haweis Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain]

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the reputation the Bronx, Harlem, or East LA had in the US); He was a poor itinerant (traveling) teacher (no place to lay His head) with no formal (college) education, from a poor family, whose followers were poor “fisherman”17; He didn’t come into the world as a King, the way one would have thought the God of the Universe would have. No riches, no position, no glory, no fame: Just lowly. Not what we’d expect.18

“He hath no form nor comeliness and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that

we should desire him;”

He didn’t look like superman, a super-male model, an actor, or even royalty; not physically appealing or attractive (comely) by our standards (He didn’t look like that pretty picture we often see hanging on many church walls);19 He was, humanly speaking, a disappointment to the Jews who many years later would say, “we will not have this man to

17 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 2. Thomas Scott Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 18 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 2. Thomas Scott Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 19 He wasn’t deformed either – there is nothing in Scripture to indicate that.

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rule over us” (Luke 19:14); He did not fit the expectations of the Jews for the God-Man. No physical attractiveness, no appeal, not what they imagined a Saviour should look like. Sadly, the Pharisees were “educated” but missed the point. They neglected the lessons of the past: King Saul looked like a king, but failed miserably; David’s son Absalom, a prince was a very handsome young man, but came up short; Samson was given strength, but used it selfishly On the other hand: The apostles were fishermen and a tax collector – but God used them to build His church; Paul was not an impressive man physically, or in speech, but God used Him mightily to preach the Good News to the world of his day; God became a lowly Carpenter from Galilee to redeem His people So, what, according to verse 2 is the reason (humanly speaking) for the Jews rejection of their Messiah? Look at the first word: “For” (“Because”) it was the failure of His appearance to impress anyone: He didn’t “look” the part. He didn’t “look” like the Son of God. He didn’t “look” like a King. He didn’t “look” like a mighty Deliverer.

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Yet, He healed the sick and lame, raised the dead, cast out demons, bore our sins, and brought salvation. However, He didn’t fit the Jews’ image of a national Saviour, so they rejected Him, based on appearances alone – the outward man. They crucified Him because He didn’t appeal to their flesh. He didn’t “look good.” And it is the same today: These days our minds are filled with the “mighty warrior” mentality. We’ve been conditioned through computer games, comic books, toys, and movies that a “king” a “god,” a “deliverer” must be some muscular, intelligent, handsome/beautiful specimen with sword in hand, ready to kill everyone that threatens. We prop up actors, singers, and movie stars as leaders; people who appeal to our images: comely, beautiful, people. God told the Jews 700 years before Christ came what to look for: a lowly Servant, but they missed it because of vanity (looking for an impressive figure). They were looking for great things, but missed the important things. Let us then beware that in looking for great things we miss what God says: That we walk by faith and not by sight . . . but the world seeks appearances, and aesthetics; That it is not by might or by power, but by God’s Spirit . . . but the world seeks physical strength;

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That in our flesh dwelleth no good thing . . . yet the world seeks to reform or improve a hopelessly corrupted flesh; That our righteousnesses are as filthy rags . . . but the world seeks to boast in good deeds; That it is finished . . . but the world seeks to work for salvation; That we are saved by grace, through faith . . . but the world seeks salvation as a reward for hard work or good effort. And if we bring that to church: Perhaps we too look to do “great,” highly visible, and aesthetically acceptable things to appeal to the opinions of other members, but we neglect simple acts or opportunities of service in the church of spiritual value and worth: (visitation, cleaning, texting a brother or sister, praying for the pastor and the church, loving one another, edifying one another, small jobs, preparing and or serving food, tract distribution, giving time/money . . .); OR Perhaps we neglect our "lowly," "humble" positions in life. Things such as being a good husband/wife, being a good father/mother, good son/daughter, good employee, good neighbor . . . because we want greater things: job success; higher education; career; more money; more power.

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We as people of flesh imagine greater things, but God doesn’t cater to our wicked imaginations.20 He sent His Son in humility, meekness, and lowliness (spiritual qualities), with no “beauty,” no attractiveness, no “comeliness,” no appeal (physical qualities) to please us. If God were trying to please us with an outward beauty, maybe everybody would follow Christ, but without changed hearts; without sincerity; without truth. God looks on the inward man – the heart. Christ is God in the flesh, yet his appearance was unappealing to us . . . why? Because we are flesh and He is Spirit. He is Good and we are not. Thus it is natural for us NOT to see His beauty (we are blind to it), because His is a spiritual beauty, an eternal beauty, a holy beauty. 21 But we do not naturally like holiness. It does not appeal to our flesh. We run from it. Only God doing a work in a person’s heart can get us to enjoy it. That is a fruit of righteousness – that you enjoy holiness, not that you tolerate it; but that you actually enjoy it! The Lord’s beauty can be seen for example in one brother sharing with another the wonderful things the Lord has shown him in his Bible reading; or rejoicing because the Lord showed you how the

20 See Genesis 6:5 21 Psalm 29:2 “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness”

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Old Testament sacrifices more clearly relate to Christ’s sacrifice; or delighting in the attributes of Jesus Christ as they are the same as the Father’s; and so on. How many of us have read something in the Bible and just rejoiced because it was so beautiful? – That is enjoying beauty that the world cannot see. Now because they cannot see it, the world often tries to make Jesus “acceptable,” and “appealing” by painting “pretty” (femininely-handsome) pictures of Jesus. But that’s only physical appeal, NOT Biblical appeal. The world needs the eternal-spiritual beauty of Christ, not an appealing picture of Him. Those pictures are of “another” Jesus as spoken of by Paul (2Corinthians 11:4), not the uncomely Christ presented in Isaiah 53:2. Psalm 31:30 says, “beauty is vain.” Matthew 23:27 says, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.” These verses and more tell us that physical beauty, attractiveness; appeal is not what we ought to be focusing on. Christ’s is a real, true, and lasting beauty: His holiness; the fact that He cannot/does not/will not lie; His self-sacrificing love; His righteousness; the peace He brings; perfect in His ways; merciful; full of grace and truth. That is the beauty the world cannot

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see, because it is blinded to it (2Corinthians 4:4). Therefore Dear Reader, praise God if He has enlightened your understanding to see it. And not just to see it, but to adore it, and to adore Him. God sent His Son to earth in humility, meekness, and lowliness (spiritual qualities), no “beauty,” no attractiveness, no “comeliness,” no appeal, (physical qualities) . . . to show us: That His ways are not our ways, that His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9); That He looks at the inward man (the heart), while we look at the outward man (appearances) (1Samuel 16:7); That He has chosen the weak things, and lowly things, and base things to confound the wise, so that He would be glorified by the demonstration of His power, and not man’s (1Corinthians 1:27). How often, we as humans look for some grander way to enter heaven; some outstanding effort or work to earn the right to enter heaven, but miss Christ because He doesn’t fit our opinion of a Saviour (too lowly, too simple, too easy), so we say, “I’ll do it my way,” but to an eternal regret. Few in Jesus’ day expected a Saviour such as He – though God foretold of it in Scripture, they didn’t get it – and man people today don’t get it either. Many don’t respond to humility, meekness, and lowliness. Though the Lord had in His power, legions of angels

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(Matthew 26:53) to destroy earth, He demonstrated an uncharacteristic-to-mankind, godly meekness, that only He could demonstrate, because none of us are “God.” People do however respond to beauty (physical, temporal), degrees, money, force and fierceness, violence, arrogance and pride. The movies, books, and computer games portray these things. But this is not God’s way. God tells us to be meek, live peacefully with all men. This is what glorifies Christ, not the behavior of the flesh (“Let this mind be in you…”). And here in verse two we see Christ as our Example. This is Christ-like, and may HIS beauty, not the world’s version of it, be reflected in us and from us as “Christians” (Christ ones). Let us therefore follow the Lord’s example and not strive for or be consumed with fleshly appeal, but cultivate and nurture the inner man in Christ. Nobody naturally desires Christ. Nobody can naturally see His beauty. We’ve seen that there is no “beauty” that we should desire Christ (humanly speaking). Now as was presented last chapter, if you are a believer, at some point, God has revealed the beauty of His Son from Scripture and given you a desire for Him (for me it was in Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness…”).

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However, as happens over time, we lose that first attraction, that appeal, that affection we once had as new believers, because we change over time. But Jesus Christ never changes. His Word says so: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, if someone has changed, it is us – you and me. Our eyes have become dim, our thinking clouded, and our hearts cold. Why? Because the things of this world compete with that affection for the Lord in our hearts:

Our desires; our possessions; our money, and how to make more; our pursuits; our promotion; our education; our family; our friends; our “priorities;" or other “more important things” We give them higher importance, pre-eminence if you will in our hearts, minds, and lives. But the Lord says set your affections on things above – on heavenly places where Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father (Colossians 3:1-2). If we do that, we just might see more of His beauty. Dear Reader, you may be reading this book and . . . Be religiously seeking to promote your own righteousness instead of trusting in Christ’s; Have never seen the beauty of Christ; Have never had a radical change in your life – no time in your life when your direction has changed; Never have been led by the Spirit of God; Never have had fellowship with

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others who do; Enjoy the sins of the world without conviction or fear of God; Have never had a desire for the things of God; Not understand the Scriptures; Aware that you are not saved; Are seeking God; OR maybe you are a Christian: Who cannot see the beauty of Christ anymore; Who comes to church as a tradition or as an obligation; Who has little interest in Isaiah 53; Who no longer shares the joy of other believers in knowing Christ more. As we study this chapter out, Lord willing, we will see more beauty in Christ and His worthiness of your utmost affections, but please allow me to share a little more of His beauty in closing this chapter: The Bible says, “He came unto His own, and His own received him not” (John 1:11): By Him were all things created – by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16); The Word, the Creator God, became flesh (John 1:1, 14); God was manifest in the flesh to take away sins (1Timothy 3:16). Creator God came to us, but there was no warm welcome, no parade, no comforts, without wealth, to suffer at the hands of men and take our punishment upon Himself. He left Glory. Why? He didn’t have to. Why did He? Because of love. Why else would He do it? “For God so loved the world …” (John 3:16). Now, the Bible also says, “When we were yet without strength, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

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When we were yet “without strength.” We had no power with God, nothing to boast about, unable to reach the glory of God; beggars . . . Separated from God (our strength) Dead in sin Sinners from birth Cursed Guilty Condemned Unrighteous Could not possibly inherit the kingdom of God.

When we were yet without strength, Christ died for the “ungodly.” We had no perfection before God; not just beggars, but filthy beggars . . . We are liars from birth (Psalm 58:3); We are all under sin (Galatians 3:22); We fall into lust, fornication, idolatry, wrath, strife, disobedience, envy, murder, reveling, drunkenness, hatred (Galatians 5:19).22

22 Maybe you say, “oh, I’ve never done those things” but do you take pleasure in them that do them while watching television dramas or movies? Then you are also guilty (Matthew 5:28; Romans 1:28). Do you imagine them at times? Then you are also guilty (1John 3:15).

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When we were in this condition, HE came to US. . . When WE had no power, no strength, easily broken, nothing to boast about; When WE were dead in sin, wretched sinners, in a world of sin, condemned, poor, beggars, abominable, ungodly; When WE were unappealing and unattractive; When WE had no beauty that HE should desire US! HE took our punishment, our just reward, for our sin, our wages of sin upon Himself. He was made sin for us (2Corinthians 5:21) – the just for the unjust (1Peter 3:18). . . That we might be forgiven (1John 2:12); That we might be reconciled to God (2Corinthians 5:18); That we might be made righteous in Him (Romans 10:4); That we might have peace with God (Romans 5:1); That we might not be condemned (Romans 8:1); That we might have eternal life (John 3:16). Now that is beautiful! That is praiseworthy! That is worth our undying devotion! May God grant unto each of us to see Christ’s beauty whether to be refreshed, to be reminded, or for the first time. Lowly and meek He came, but very able to save.

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Verse 3 | Man of sorrows

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

In the previous chapter we looked at verse 2. We looked at the reason for Israel’s rejection of their Messiah, and the implications for us today. But, before we proceed further let us review some key points, as we build up to the climax of this wonderful chapter in the Bible: First, we saw that the Lord’s PERSON as portrayed in Isaiah 53:2 is one of a tender plant, which refers to His human frailty; that he took upon Himself the form of a man. God tabernacled Himself in the flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Next, we saw the Lord’s PERSON described as “a root out of a dry ground,” which refers to His lowliness and lowly background. We also read that He had “no form or comeliness,” making reference to the fact that the Lord was not physically attractive or appealing, dispelling the “myths” that He was an effeminate, almost girlish in appearance as portrayed in many a picture on church and home walls.

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Fourthly, according to 53:2, what was the reason (humanly speaking) for Israel’s rejection of her Messiah? It was because he was not physically attractive or appealing; He was lowly; Not what they wanted in a Saviour. That should remind us that God does not look on the outward man, but the heart is where the Lord looks (1Samuel 16:7). So, what is the beauty of Christ? It is a spiritual beauty, an inward beauty, hidden from men’s eyes, to be revealed only by God (comp. with Galatians 3:23; Ephesians 3:5). And as Christians, what so often clouds our view of Christ’s beauty? We so often get distracted by the things of this world. From these things, we saw at least two implications for us: (a) That we as people so often judge by the physical, and neglect the spiritual (b) That the beauty of Christ is not something we naturally see. That brings us now to our current text, verse 3 – a continuation of verse 2. As we conclude our examination of the Suffering Servant: His PERSON, which describes the Messiah – what Israel was to expect, what He would be like, and what they (the Jews) should look for in their Saviour. The result of verse 2 (His appearance) leads to verse 3 (His treatment):

“He is despised and rejected of men;”

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“Despised,” is synonymous with scorn; contempt; to look down on; loathed; detested; unloved. The Lord was hated, especially by the scribes and priests (who should have known better). He was sent out of synagogues; faced angry mobs who wanted to kill Him; townspeople sent Him out of their towns; there were plots to kill Him; He was betrayed by a friend; and traded for a murderer. The prophetic Psalm 22:6 describes the Lord’s emotions: “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” His own people cried out, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21). Yet, He was innocent of any evil (as testified by Pilate, Herod, and Judas – His enemies). He was “rejected,” forsaken of men; discarded; unwanted; no longer regarded as a man. But the Stone rejected by the Jews, has become the Chief Cornerstone to those who believe: “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11). He is become the Rock of our salvation – for all those who believe on Him. Nevertheless, these days He is still rejected: He is rejected in public schools and public education; rejected in science; rejected in prayers of public office; rejected in religious organizations; rejected at Christmas-time; and yes, even rejected in some churches. Very few speak of Him. Very few want to.

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“A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:”

“Sorrow,” speaks of deep distress and or mental anguish. His deep anguish over the results of sin upon His perfect Creation; upon the beloved people He created. He cried over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41); He wept (John 11:35); and Hebrews 5:7 says, “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears…” He was no stranger to tears, which would have been a constant companion for the “Man of sorrows.” He wept for the effects of sin, for the fallen creation – Not because He was thwarted, but because He is compassionate! He became a “man of sorrows” seeing the sorrows of sin: The disease, the pain, the suffering, the misery, the death, and its effects upon people; The anger, the wrath, the lust, the fornication, the strife, the idolatry, the covetousness, the envy, the thievery, the murder, the drunkenness, and on and on the list of sin goes; His sorrow at the consequences of unholiness in His once Holy Creation, contrary to His holy nature. Holy God entered a fallen creation and beheld as a man, firsthand the cruelty and grotesqueness of sin. Thus we have a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities...” (Hebrews 4:15).

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We do not read of Him laughing in Scripture. Some “Christian” materials present Him as a happy man, smiling, but that’s not the Jesus of the Bible, it is “another Jesus” (beware). He was a “Man of sorrows” whose distinguishing characteristic was sorrow. Why else would He be given that title? He bore the sorrows of the world – the effects of sin, in this world of sinners. He was also “acquainted with grief.” Grief is an emotional suffering from bereavement (loss of a loved one) or disaster; in other words, the pain of sin. Sorrow and grief go hand in hand: Sorrow is the woe of sin, while grief is the pain of sin. The Lord was in constant contact with grief (acquainted with it); He was familiar with it; He had an intimate first hand knowledge of it whether from others whose grief He shared; He sympathized and was compassionate; and not only that, He helped ease the suffering by healing the lame, the lepers, the blind, the dumb, the sick with palsy, casting out demons, raising the dead. He knew well the grief of the people around Him, and He helped them. But, He also sweat drops of blood for His own sorrow and grief: That He would be brutally treated – beaten, smitten, whipped, spit on, carry His cross, and crucified – A lamb to the slaughter, bearing the sins of many upon Himself, finally separated from the Father before death! God the Father could no

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longer look upon His Son who became sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ was separated from His Father from eternity, crying out, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me!” He alone could bear it – the God-Man, our God-Man. He shared our grief, but He bore His own alone – for you. For me. O, so great a salvation which came at such a high price! Now Christian, the next time you are tired, look to Christ: “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:3). Looking at Christ, should take our minds off of our griefs, and place them properly, squarely, upon the precious work of the Saviour on your behalf. But for all that . . .

“we hid as it were our faces from him”

“We” speaks of the Jews, including Isaiah himself; but WE, the children of Adam are included here; you and me by default. “Hid.” Why do we hide our faces from people? Because we don’t want them to see us or look directly at them in acknowledgement; we don’t want to talk to them or be near them; we’re trying to ignore them; trying to avoid them; embarrassed to

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be seen with them. The Lord was treated as a leper. People hid their faces from Him, out of shame to know Him; Even His disciples ran away and forsook or denied Him (Mark 14:50). It’s the same today. Mention the name of “Jesus Christ” and many people’s faces will change; or they will change the subject; or walk away; or get quiet. People don’t want to talk about Him; don’t want to know Him; don’t want to be “seen” with Him. So the Lord says in John 3:20, “every one that doeth evil hateth the light.” The Lord is the light, and we naturally avoid it, because our deeds are naturally evil from birth;23 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). The natural man doesn’t even want to be around the Name of that Light. But to the believer, it is a precious name: “…there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12); Worthy of honor and praise to whom all will bow the knee, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). And there ought to be NO shame in His Gospel, “…for it is the power of God unto salvation to every

23 Psalm 58:3, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.”

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one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). Not only did we hide our faces from Him, but …

“we esteemed him not.”

He was not given the glory due His name. He wasn’t valued for who He was. The Jews preferred a murder (Barabbas) over Him. And the natural man today thinks little of Him too. To the lost He is only a man; a teacher; a prophet; part of a religious collection; just the Son of God; just “Jesus” my “buddy;” just a picture on a wall; window dressing; just an ingredient to salvation (i.e. Christ + my work = heaven); just someone I read about in the Bible; just someone I hear about on Sunday mornings; just a guy who died on a cross; just someone in a movie I saw. Hollywood tries to portray characters like “Braveheart,” or “Joan of Arc” who suffered terribly for their causes, but nevertheless perhaps indirectly attempting to reduce Jesus’ sufferings to the same. However, none of these “characters” real or make believe EVER carried the sins of the world on themselves. No one has suffered the physical, mental, and spiritual anguish that the Lord suffered. And “we esteemed Him not.” But thankfully, He didn’t come for our esteem. He didn’t need it. He is God. And He doesn’t need our

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pity either. Don’t feel sorry for God. We ought to weep for ourselves: “And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. (27) And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. (28) But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children” (Luke 23:26). Be sorrowful for what we did to the Lord, that is needful, but don’t pity Almighty God. He did not come for our esteem – He came to save. Even without our regard for Him, He did what He had to do: He came and He finished the work. How often do we look for someone to watch us do something so that we can be applauded for our efforts? But, the Lord did not look for men’s esteem because, “that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). Scripture tells us the world, the natural man, hates Christ:

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).

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“But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause” (John 15:25).

Naturally we despise and reject Him, hide our faces from Him, and esteem Him not. How about you Dear Reader – Who is Christ to you? Is He worthy of your esteem? Is He precious to you or is He despised? Are you rejecting Him, or have you received Him in your heart? Is He worthy of your worship? There is a difference between the Christian and the non-: To one, Christ is worthy of esteem, precious, acceptable, worth worshipping. To the other, Christ is not attractive, not worthy, not desirable, and cause to hide the face from. So, from verse 2, we learned that Christ was not appealing to the flesh, which led to verse 3, the results of this “lack of appeal” to the flesh. But His doctrine was good; He performed miracles and healed the sick as an authentication of His ministry and Godhood; He was the Messiah prophesied in Scripture – But the flesh prevented them then, and people now from coming to Him. He didn’t come in glory and majesty; His Gospel, His story, is not preached with “enticing words of man’s wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1Corinthians 2:4), with “plainness of speech” (2Corinthians 3:12).

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Now Christ came in plainness, but He will return in power, majesty, and glory, and will be worshipped: “Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee” (Isaiah 49:7). And He will judge the world. Revelation 20:11-15 gives a troubling account of the end: “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

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In the end, the Lord will be the only one worth esteeming. The Lord says, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1Peter 3:18). If you haven’t already, trust Him. Turn and come; seek His grace to turn from sin and self, to see His worthiness, His glory, and rest in Him, even now.

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Verse 4 | He carried our sorrows

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”

How often Christ and His work are “tacked” on to the end of messages. But what we forget from the pulpit (those who preach) is that Christ IS the message. According to Paul, Christ was all he wanted to know:

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1Corinthians 2:2). “But we preach Christ crucified …” (1Corinthians 1:23). “Unto him [God] be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21).

So it shouldn’t be an unusual thing to hear Jesus Christ exalted, magnified, praised, honored and preached in HIS churches. Yet, there are some Christians who think it unnecessary (because

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“everybody’s a Christian in church”), and some are even offended when Christ is preached. But the truth is, if you want a powerful message, if you want a message that will save souls and transform lives, preach Christ:

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).

Maybe you already know about Jesus. Maybe you have already heard about what He did; maybe you have even studied it; read it in your Bible several months ago, or even saw it in a movie. I’m not talking about a movie review here, the question is, what does the Passion of the Christ mean to you? Is it boring to hear about again? Is it old news or good news? Do you enjoy hearing about it or are you tired of it? How we answer these questions is a good measure of how and where we are spiritually. To every Christian this ought to be a precious, honored, and even a joyful event in our hearts, minds, and mouths. Sadly though, to many, it is just an old story. So, as we begin to uncover the PASSION of the Suffering Servant, examine yourself, and see what it means to you.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs”

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Last chapter, we saw that the person of the Lord was despised, rejected of men, and esteemed not. These first three verses conclude the narrative of Jesus Christ, his PERSON. The next three verses (4-6) cover his PASSION (suffering) - what he endured at our hands and why. “Surely,” that is certainly He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows because He had none of His own to bear. The Lord is perfect, blameless, righteous, without sin, “a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Peter 1:19). “Surely he hath borne our griefs.” “Borne,” means to endure. “Our,” pertains to us, not His own griefs, but ours. “Griefs,” are our sicknesses, infirmities, diseases (physical and spiritual). So in Matthew 8:17 the Lord quotes this verse using the word “sicknesses:”

“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”

He bore our griefs; that is: (a) He endured them in removing them, in healing them (b) He endured hardship and fatigue in healing our miseries of the

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flesh. We read of Him healing people from day until night.24 He bore our griefs and …

“carried our sorrows:”

There are at least four sorrows the Lord carried for us which we can relate here: 1. Sorrow of a WASTED LIFE

A life spent on sin and self. How many people are there who wish they had done something different with their lives? How many regrets are there at the end of a life wasted on vanity? The Bible says all in this life is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2): Our lives and this world25 and that one day everything is going to be burned up (2Peter 3:10). Yet, how much of our lives are spent chasing vain things; things that will burn up; things that will bring us no eternal pleasure. Hebrews 11:25 says, the pleasures of sin is but only for a season. That is, sin has no lasting value. But Jesus Christ came that we need not experience the sorrow of a wasted life: In Christ we are new creatures (2Corinthians 5:17), instead of the old corrupted people we are originally; In Christ we

24 Compare with Mark 1:29-34 25 “Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away” (Psalm 144:4); “all is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 1:14).

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are created unto good works (Ephesians 2:10), not fleshly works, not wasted efforts. In Christ we can bear much fruit (John 15:8), instead of fruitlessness; In Christ we can have an abundant life (John 10:10), instead of a life of misery. Christ offers us eternal life in Him, an eternally blessed, sins-forgiven relationship with the God of the universe; In Christ life is not wasted, “and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1John 2:17). O, what a wasted life is one spent on sin and self; one filled with ungodly sorrows. 2. Sorrow of CONDEMANTION

Jesus Christ suffered that we need no longer sorrow over our own personal sins which condemn us. Before one sees the beauty of Christ there is a time of sorrow (whether brief or prolonged) but it is a godly sorrow that brings us to Christ:

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2Corinthians 7:10).

It is a sorrow over sin, your sin, your sin before God, and His judgment upon you, your condemnation. Have you ever suffered this sorrow?

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If you have, or if you are experiencing it now, praise God! – Because Christ carried your sorrow, He carried your SIN. Acts 13:39 says, “And by Him [Jesus Christ] all that believe are justified from all things.” The Doctrine of Justification is a truly blessed study, but not for the pages of this text. Nevertheless, justification simplified is this; every person who trusts in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone is counted righteous (Romans 4:3); that in the eyes of God, your standing in Christ is “just as if your had never sinned.” You are declared legally not guilty of breaking the law of God; declared legally righteous by the judge himself – God! Hence Romans 10:4 puts it this way, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Therefore, all who believe, are justified by faith in Christ, and need not sorrow over our sinful standing before God. Of course, we sorrow over our daily sins; this is part of the process of sanctification, as long as we are on this earth. But, the sorrow of condemnation need no longer plague you – it is replaced by joy at the time of conversion. 3. Sorrow of FINAL JUDGMENT

One day, all those who lived life outside of Christ, whatever their status in life, whatever their

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educational attainment, whatever their problems in life were, will stand before the Great White Throne of judgment:

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them” (Revelation 20:11).

Sadly, it will be too late then. Great people, strong people, famous people, mighty people, poor people, everyone not found in Christ will stand before God and give an account of their lives. There will be no more boasting, no more haughty looks, no more laughing, no more rebellious attitudes, God alone will be exalted. Isaiah 2:11-22 offers a vivid description of that day. Based on works, no man can stand before God and say he is righteous.26 However, God will judge them by works (Revelation 20:12), so they may know that their condemnation is just, and deserved. It ought to trouble the lost soul to know that God keeps a record of our deeds, if that’s the method one prefers to be judged by. The Bible says that in our flesh “dwells no good thing” (Romans 7:18), and that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”

26 See Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:16

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(Isaiah 64:6). Dear Reader, you don’t want to stand before GOD in judgment – you will lose! It will be the lowly Christ, who was rejected of men, despised, and unesteemed who will judge, “and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). But Jesus Christ suffered that we need never experience this sorrow. Condemnation is certain, we are “already condemned” (John 3:18). But God gives us His Word which tells us that, “we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he [Jesus Christ] is, so are we in this world” (1John 4:17). There is only one way to escape the Great White Throne Judgment, and that is through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:1 tell us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” Believers will also be judged (2Corinthians 5:10), but not for punishment, because Christ already took our just punishment on the cross:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2Corinthians 5:10).

So may believers seek to reduce any sorrow then by abiding in Christ, and walking in the Spirit:

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“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

4. ETERNAL Sorrow

The final sorrow Jesus came to bear for us, so we would not have to, is eternal sorrow in hell, and ultimately the Lake of Fire (Revelations 20:15), where there is no hope of release (Revelation 20:10 – forever). There will be eternal regret, 27 eternal darkness, 28 and eternal torment. 29 But those who find themselves there will bear the eternal sorrow of knowing that Christ suffered that we need not experience this sorrow. If you are born again, God revealed to you from His Word that Christ took your place, and by God-given faith you looked to Him for your soul’s salvation, so you would not suffer this sorrow. . . isn’t that praiseworthy?! If you have not yet looked to Christ and reading this, you will experience this sorrow if you do not turn

27 Matthew 13:49 – weeping and gnashing of teeth 28 Jude 13 – The blackness of darkness for ever 29 Luke 16:22 – rich man in torments

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to Him – that’s the bad news – these things await those who neglect Christ. A person does not have to do anything to obtain this sorrow – any bad deed, any crime, any evil because we are already born into it its path:

“… he that believeth not is condemned already” (John 3:18).

Psalm 51:5 implicitly implies that in sin we are conceived; Romans 3:23, tells us in no uncertain words that all have sinned; and Romans 3:10, makes it clear that there is none righteous. BUT there is good news:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God could not allow us to be with Him in heaven in our corrupt condition, because He is holy, but in love, He sent His Son to bear the sorrows that rightfully belong to us. “He carried our sorrows” yet …

“we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God,

and afflicted.”

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The Jews despised Jesus so much that they figured He was being punished by God for some evil that He had done. John 5:18 tells us, “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” Instead of grieving over His suffering, they were glad about it. Isaiah 53 tells us that they didn’t consider that He was innocent; they didn’t consider that He spoke the truth (authenticated by miracles); they didn’t consider that He was the Messiah of Scripture. If they had put to heart Isaiah 53, instead of just reading it for “knowledge” alone, or if they had studied the Scriptures instead of just memorizing them, they may have realized (humanly speaking) that the man before them was indeed the Saviour, come from God – the Messiah. Luke 24:25 states it even better, “… all that the prophets have spoken: (26) Ought not Christ to have suffered these things …” And here it is 2,000 plus years later and it is the same: who considers that Christ died for them, for their sins? Many know about Jesus Christ, but they do not know Him. Many try to proclaim their own righteousness; many do not consider Romans 3:10 seriously (there is none righteous). And many do not look at Jesus Christ as bearing their sins. Our problem is that we are blind to our sin. But when God reveals it to us, it will trouble us; it will

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disturb us enough to seek God’s mercy in the face of Jesus Christ, our only hope. How about you Dear Reader? Has He carried your griefs and your sorrow? The Lord says believe. Believe on Him, that HE has carried your griefs and your sorrows. But it means that you must first conclude that they are rightfully your griefs and YOUR sorrows HE bore and carried; that you deserve them and not the Lord. The Lord says that we are ALL guilty, and the only just reward for our guilt is eternal separation from God in a place called the Lake of Fire. This is the only way we can properly pay for our own sins. But God made a way – one way out of our sorrows through faith in His Son Jesus Christ and his finished work. There is nothing we can do to be saved. We can’t work enough; we can’t earn enough “good points” to outweigh the “bad.” Only Christ could bear our burdens, the God-Man. The Lord did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He did it on His cross 2,000 years ago, out of love. It was for sinners that He suffered and died, and that Saviour is beautiful!

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Verse 5 | He was wounded

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Verse five is the second verse continuing the PASSION of the Christ. Last time, we saw in verse four His afflictions of soul; that though He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, “we” presumed that He was being chastised of God for His own evil, not realizing that surely he carried ours, and so we “esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.” Now, as we continue on, we see the afflictions of body. Four words are used to describe the pains of the Lord in this passage: "wounded," "bruised," "chastisement," "stripes." “How many, how varied, and how acute were his pains none of us can tell.”30 More is said here, of the very low condition to which he abased and humbled himself, to which he became obedient even to the death of the cross.

30 Spurgeon, Charles. Spurgeon Devotional Commentary. Isaiah 53, Verse 1. Power Bible CD [Open Domain]

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“But…”

We are met by a profound “but” – a correction of thought. “But” is a contrasting thought from the preceding clause. It is a connector that says, “wait,” don’t think that way anymore (previous verse). It is a correction; a change in perspective; “consider this instead of that.” “But,” this was a most false and unrighteous sentence. And it is from here, where we springboard into verse 5: “… he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes

we are healed.”

Now look at it again from verse four:

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted … (v5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

“But” (verse 5) is an interjection of a correction of thought. “But” He was wounded, bruised, chastized,

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and endured stripes . . . not for Himself but for others; for us (Isaiah to the Jews, and by grace to us, the Gentiles). He was given a fourfold punishment for our sins; a very thorough, a very fierce recompense for the sins of many. For the guilt of their sins, which he had voluntarily taken upon himself, and for the recompense of their sins secured by God; the Lord was wounded with thorns, nails, and spear; bruised with strokes and buffetings: his back ploughed up with stripes and scourging. For our transgressions; for or because of them, as this particle commonly signifies?31

“He was wounded”

These wounds were not just mental sorrows, but physical. A wound is a physical injury that leads to death, and it signifies the totality of the Lord’s physical anguish.32 It literally means "pierced.”33 We can see the relationship between “wounding” and “piercing” in the prophetic Psalm 22:16:

31 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 5. Matthew Poole’s Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 32 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 5. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 33 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 5. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. Power Bible CD [Open Domain]

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“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”

Compare that with Luke 23:33, “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him …” The Lord was not only “wounded” (pierced) by the nails in his hands and feet, but also wounded by the thorns in His head, and the spear in his side.

“He was wounded for our transgressions”

The word transgression means to pass over or beyond (God’s commands) as taught by Scripture:

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4).

And our transgressions required “wounding,” a just recompense for our collective breaking of God’s laws:

“… the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).

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“But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses” (Psalm 68:21)

The beauty of Christ is revealed in His work, when we see that because all of us are guilty of sin, “we shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). As a consequence of our fallen state, we are naturally enemies of God (Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21), whom God shall wound the heads (Psalm 68:21). Jesus Christ took upon Himself the wounds meant for us.

“he was bruised for our iniquities:”

“He was bruised.” A reference in Genesis 3:15 gives us the first prophecy of a coming Saviour. In it we read of the Serpent “bruising” the Lord’s heel. When the nails went through His feet, they were not only wounded (pierced) but “bruised;” a crushing inward and outward suffering, as from a beating.34 Add to this the fact that the Lord was “buffeted” and others “smote” Him (Matthew 26:67; 27:30). Isaiah 30:6 also speaks of Him giving His “back to the smiters.” And why did the Lord endure this form of suffering? Because . . .

34 Comments on Isaiah 53:5. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. Power Bible CD [Open Domain]

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“He was bruised for our iniquities.” Iniquity speaks of:

"crookedness," "perverseness," i.e. evil regarded as that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion; "naughtiness," "mischief;” lawlessness; unrighteousness.”35

It is differentiated from sin (though they are often grouped together) as we read in Hebrews 10:17, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” “The chastisement of our peace was upon him;”

“Chastisement,” speaks of correction, disciplinary correction; discipline by punishment.36 Chastisement, as one old commentator put it is

“Literally, the correction inflicted by a parent on children for their good (Hebrews 12:5-8,10,11). Not punishment strictly; for this can have place only where there is guilt, which He had not; but He took on Himself the chastisement whereby the peace (reconciliation with our Father;

35 Iniquity. Edwards, Miall. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

Power Bible CD [Open Domain] 36 Unknown reference

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Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14,15,17) of the children of God was to be effected (Hebrews 2:14).”37

Other commentators describe it:

The chastisement of our peace; those punishments by which our peace, i.e. our reconciliation to God, and salvation, or happiness, was to be purchased.38 The chastisement of our peace -"The chastisement by which our peace is effected;” that by which we are brought into a state of peace and favor with God. 39 [Compare that with the words of 1Peter 3:18, “… the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.”] To purchase our peace with God, he, who was holy and beloved, consented to bear our punishment as if it had been a fatherly chastisement.40

37 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 5. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. Power Bible CD [Open Domain] 38 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 5. Matthew Poole's Commentary. Power Bible CD [Open Domain] 39 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 5. Bp. Lowth. British Family Bible. Power Bible CD [Open Domain] 40 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 5. Thomas Scott Commentary. Power Bible CD [Open Domain]

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“Upon” him – as a burden; parallel to "hath borne" and "carried."41

Hence in the New Testament we can read that from the Lord’s “chastisement” on behalf of believers, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Also 2Corinthians 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” That “reconciliation” so costly paid for by the Lord Himself made peace (reconciliation) between an angry, holy God, and sinful, condemned mankind. But not only was he “wounded” for our transgressions, “bruised” for our iniquities, and “chastised” for our peace, but . . .

“And with his stripes we are healed.”

“Stripes” is a reference to being scourged (Matthew 27:26; 1Peter 2:24).42 The Lord was likely scourged (whipped) with what the Romans referred to as a “scorpion.” This scorpion was a multi-stripped device with metal hooks at the end of each “strip” of

41 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 5. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. Power Bible CD [Open Domain] 42 Comments on Isaiah 53:5. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. Power Bible CD [Open Domain]

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the whip which when applied to the receiver, would actually hook into the skin and pull, tear, or rip the flesh from the person. It would be no surprise to have pulled off muscle also, as well as inflict bone-deep lacerations. Roman law prohibited more than forty lashes of a scorpion because it was such a brutal punishment, people could die from it, which is why they normally stopped at thirty-nine, just to be safe. However, in the case of a criminal, condemned to die by crucifixion, the Roman soldier had the liberty to inflict as much damage as they wanted to without limitation.43 This means that the Lord was probably scourged to “within an inch of His life” (humanly speaking), as we read in Matthew 27:26, “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” This point is further driven home when we read Isaiah 52:14, “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” It makes sense then, that from the account in this verse, that the Romans certainly whipped Him to an incredible extent. But, no man can take His life, He lays it down and takes it back up again (John 10:17-18), and so

43 Ancient Torture part 3/3. History Channel: Ancient Discoveries. You Tube [Open Domain]

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He endured what was handed Him for our sakes. What we see in the pictures and statues so often found in certain churches of Jesus with a crown of thorns and some blood, a little gash in His side, while hanging on the cross, is a weak representation of the physical suffering the Lord suffered.

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1Peter 2:24).

“With his stripes we are healed;” that is, by his sufferings we are saved from our sins, and from the dreadful effects thereof.44 From Psalm 41:4, we can see that all of our souls are in need of healing: “I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. Healed, spiritually; restored to what we ought to be, in Christ. This indicates that before Adam’s sin, having been created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27; compare with 2Corinthians 3:18) Adam was spiritually “healthy:” He was righteous (Ephesians 4:24; without sin), truly holy (Ephesians 4:24; not an outward, but an inward purity), and knowledgeable (Colossians 3:10;

44 Comments on Isaiah 53:5. Matthew Poole's Commentary. Power Bible CD [Open Domain]

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an understanding of the mind of God, His will, and of His Creation). However, after the fall we lost that image and only in Christ can we be restored to it, though in this world we can only change from glory to glory, but “we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1John 3:2). All of these sufferings the Lord bore for us. Another commentator (unknown to the author) puts it this way, “He bore them, and blamed not his lot; he carried them, and did neither shrink from them, nor sink under them until he said, It is finished.”45 Jesus Christ, God’s Suffering Servant, was a Man of sorrows who suffered afflictions of soul; but who was also wounded, bruised, chastised, and scourged, suffering afflictions of the body – a most complete punishment of soul and body, and for what? He was an innocent “Man.” He suffered these torments for us; for our transgressions, our iniquities, our peace, and our healing. This is how we can read in the New Testament and be refreshed and joyful at words such as we find in 1John 2:12, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake;” and in 1John 3:5, “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”

45 Unknown source

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Believer, this is the essence of what we read in Hebrews 12:1-3, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. “Consider Him … lest ye be wearied and faint …” He endured so much more than we could ever possibly imagine; so much more than what we could possibly be experiencing now. This is why we are told to “consider Him,” who suffered anguish of soul and body, yet innocent. He didn’t have to take this punishment, for it wasn’t His. If we will but consider HIS sacrifice, instead of our own suffering, perhaps ours will not be as overwhelming. Keep going on!

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Verse 6 | We…have gone astray

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Verse six is the last of the “passion” verses, and it includes a common Bible illustration of sheep and people. It is a reminder for us, as we go throughout our lives of the behavior which often entraps us in sin and unhealthy behaviors, and which leads us away from the Lord rather than toward Him. Nevertheless, we read that though we have initially behaved this way by the sin of our corporate head Adam, and continue to this day, the Lord carried this, but additional indictment upon the cross.

“All we like sheep have gone astray;”

Sheep have a flocking instinct. They tend to “go with the flow,” and do what the other sheep in the flock do. They have even been known to follow others off a cliff.46 We too like sheep are followers of evil, bent to sin, because everyone else is “doing it;”

46 One news report from Turkey several years ago had 1,500 jumping off a cliff.

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so God, in His infinite understanding tells His people in Exodus 23:2, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” Sheep operate mostly by sight. They go where the scenery appeals to them; a marked similarity between us and sheep. Thus in 1John 2:16, we read about the three categories of sins, of which the “lust of the eyes,” is one of them. So far, there is an unmistakable similarity between us and sheep. This is surely one reason why the Lord often refers to His people as sheep in Scripture. Sheep have excellent hearing. They can distinguish a specific voice among many; they can distinguish or recognize their shepherd’s voice from others. They are generally considered dumb animals. Sheep do what they want to do without regard for injury. They’re prone to wander away from the shepherd and go places that would endanger them. We are already born astray, all non-believers are still astray, and believers can go astray, even doing things that harm them spiritually (unhealthy attitudes, not feeding on the Word, not breathing the oxygen of prayer, separating themselves from the group [church, fellowship], and the like), and even physically (unhealthy habits or activities). Sheep often go astray; spiritually speaking, from the path of righteousness into wickedness. Starting

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with Adam, who was created in righteousness, we went astray by disobeying God’s command; and now we all follow the same path (remember the flocking instinct). So the Lord uses terms like, wander,47 gone astray,48 and shepherd49 to describe our attitudes, behaviors, and condition: Our thoughts (lustful) … attitudes (arrogant) … ways (away from God) … eyes (look upon evil) … ears (listen to evil) … hands (commit evil) … feet (run to evil) … heart (is evil) … tongues (speak evil) … have all gone astray. Compare this with the words of James 1:14:

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

“Drawn away” from God; from the path (of righteousness), path of life, path of the just, path of God’s commandments. We so easily get distracted from the eternal things by the temporal: So says the Lord, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33); So says the Lord, “Looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2); So says the Lord, “look not to the left or to the right” (Joshua 1:7).

47 See Numbers 14:33, 32:13; Psalm 119:10 48 See Psalm 119:176; Jeremiah 50:6; 2Peter 2:15 49 Numbers 27:17; 1Kings 22:17; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:8 ...

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“Stray” believers have the Holy Spirit who convicts, who restrains, who leads, who brings God’s Word to remembrance, who keeps us in the path of righteousness. And if that doesn’t work, the Lord uses His “rod” of correction, or chastisement, to bring us back into the way (Hebrews 12:4-17).

“We have turned every one to his own way;”

Everyone seeks his own way, not the things of God. Don’t agree? Why do we have these attitudes: envy … pride … lust … covetousness … hatred … bitterness … and the like? They are all selfish conditions, ungodly. When the Lord speaks of our “own way,” I think of the old Frank Sinatra song, “My Way,” and we can add to that, my will … what I want … what feels good … and what seems right in my eyes (which leads to death, Proverbs 14:12, 16:25). But only Christ did it God’s way; seeking not His own but that of others. Only He could truly say, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). He alone obeyed the Father’s will perfectly. We drink evil like iced tea on a scorching summer afternoon. But Christ’s meat was to do the Father’s will:

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“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34).

His sustenance, His pleasure, His satisfaction, His delight was to do what God wanted Him to do. Reader how about you? How about me? This is why we need to look to Christ – our Perfect Example on how to operate in this world. He didn’t pursue His desires, but left it to the Father to give Him His desires. His desire was the Father’s desire.

“And the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Wait! Stop . . . who laid on Him the iniquity of us all?! The LORD?! Yes, this was a transaction between Father and Son; between God and God alone. We had no part in it! – Its planning, its completion, its results. It was the Lord’s plan, not ours. We weren’t even asking Him either.50 Yes, not even the Devil had any part in this transaction. Many mistakenly think this ransom was paid to the Devil; but he has no power to hold us apart from God’s permission.51 This holy ransom was paid to a holy

50 Compare with Romans 5:6-10; “Without strength … dare to die … yet sinners … enemies …” 51 Compare with Job 1:12

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God by a loving God. The Lord initiated it, calling to Adam in the Garden of Eden saying “Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9). As far back as eternity past, God had it planned (Ephesians 3:11). God sent His Son to us:

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son” (Galatians 4:4).

Even when we weren’t looking for Him, or even asking for Him, not knowing our terrifying condition or predicament, God gave His Son to suffer what we read in great detail in Isaiah 53:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16).

God gave His Son a Ransom for many. 52 Ransoms are given as payment for the freedom of a captive (prisoner). We are born captives of God’s wrath, condemned to die but on the Cross: God’s justice met God’s mercy (When we were yet condemned) met (not getting what we deserved); Truth met grace (The law) met (a way out for the undeserving – lawbreakers, disobedient, wicked);

52 See Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1Timothy 2:6

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Holiness met the Perfect Sacrifice for unholiness on the cross of Christ. Hebrews 9:28 says, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many...” A debt was paid; a sin debt for our going astray. Our disobedience required punishment, and it was paid by Jesus Christ alone. And not only was it the Lord’s plan, but it was the Lord’s work. So said the Lord “It is finished” (John 19:30) on the cross before He gave up the ghost. There is nothing left for us to do but believe, because “This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). God did for us what we could not do for ourselves:

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

We already learned what it means to be without strength: No righteousness of our own; Beggars; Prisoners (Ephesians 2:3; children of God’s wrath). The RESULT is that God made a way for us to be freed from His wrath; to escape it; to be saved! No works of man, angels, or any other creature in this transaction; which is why the Lord’s redeemed can in sincerity proclaim:

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory” (Psalm 115:1).

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“…let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified” (Psalm 70:4).

“And the Lord laid on Him . . . the iniquity of us

all.”

We have already seen how iniquity is

wickedness. That iniquity is not necessarily a transgression of the law, but an evil work of our corrupt flesh. But in order to help us appreciate the beauty of the Lord’s work, His suffering, it would behoove us to face the mirror and see specifically what some of the wickednesses are that we do (Romans 1, Galatians 5, and Revelation 22 provide pretty clear observations:

“unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful” “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,

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heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings”

“sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters”

Is there any one of us who does not fall into any one of these wickednesses? Are we not all guilty! But here’s the praise-worthy application: “And the Lord hath laid on Him” . . . All our wicked deeds. To whosoever believes, all wicked deeds are forgiven in Christ!

“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake” (1John 2:12). “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him …” (Hebrews 7:25).

So, Dear Reader, if you think that you’ve done too much evil to be forgiven, think again. As I understand it, ALL manner of forgiven sinners will be found in heaven, except one: The unbeliever. The one who says my sins are too great even for Christ’s blood, so I will “take my chances,” I will “do it my way,” or “I don’t care;” he who will not obey the

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Lord’s command to “repent ye and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). This is the one spoken of in 2Thessalonians 1:8, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” However, the Lord still extends His invitation of forgiveness for these wickednesses and more through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ:

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15).

Have you ever seen yourself as helpless, as gone astray (evil, wicked, ungodly, unholy, sinner)? A wicked sinner? Gone your own way and lost to sin? Hopeless, helpless, at the end of yourself? In desperate need of forgiveness? Do you loathe your sin and self? Then Christ bore YOUR sins – if you haven’t already, run to Him for salvation, for . . .

“… the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Christ the Good Shepherd gave His life for His sheep:

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11)

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He laid down His life for His sheep which were lost to sin (dead in sin):

“As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15)

His sheep hear His voice . . . the Lord says:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)

Have you ever heard His voice? It is not an audible voice (from heaven, like some say). God speaks to us today from His Word. In fact, Peter considered the Word of God more reliable than his own experience (2Peter 1:16-21). Many people say, “Jesus is my friend;” God is my buddy; I know the Lord; but the question is, does HE know YOU?53 Matthew 7:23 says that it is not whether we know Him, but that He knows us. Compare that with what He says: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Christianity, eternal life, forgiveness of sins is found in a relationship, not deeds (John 17:3). It is the working of God in a person, rather than a person

53 Compare with Galatians 4:9

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working for God. Romans 8:16 tells us that, “the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Does the Spirit bear witness in you of this relationship; in walk, in conviction, in song in your heart, in self-examination of the Word, in fellowship, in prayer? Are you following Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd? Do you obey His commands? First John 2:3 teaches us that, “hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments.” Later in the epistle (5:3), John reiterates, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

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Verse 7 | He opened not his mouth

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

We are now entering the “passivity” verses (7-9) which describe the Lord’s humility, His submissiveness, and His obedience. But before we continue, let us review the previous verses (4-6). In them we saw the suffering of the Lord, His “passion.” We saw how He bore our griefs… carried our sorrows… was wounded for our transgressions (sins)… bruised for our iniquities (wickednesses)… chastised for our peace… scourged for our healing… and how the iniquity of us all was laid on him. It was a complete and thorough suffering, of the soul and body for sinners. Prior to this, we examined His PERSON in verses 1-3, which described Him as the arm of the LORD… who had no form or comeliness… no beauty that we should desire Him… who was despised and rejected of men… a man of sorrows… and acquainted with grief. Most accurately says the Lord of Himself in Matthew 11:29, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” GOD of all Creation willingly lowered

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Himself, to become a man, in this filthy place, that He might suffer and die a sinner’s death in order to “save His people from their sins.” He came in lowliness, and behaved Himself in meekness. His PASSIVITY is seen in verses 7-9. Passivity means, not active, but acted upon. The Lord didn’t act but He was acted upon – He became a sacrifice for the sins of many – a lamb to the slaughter. Passivity speaks of the Lord’s submissiveness and obedience to the Father’s will unto death as a lamb to the slaughter; submissive unto death; obedient to the death of the cross.

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8).

How about us? Are we willingly submitted to God’s will? Yes you say? How about unto death? Have any of us obeyed God’s will to suffer to that extent? The Lord says Christ was innocent. Hebrews 12:3 puts it in perspective for us, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” The contradiction here is the fact that He was included with sinners, though He was not one. We are to consider His submissiveness and obedience

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in the face of such heinous contradiction, to be punished a most miserable death on the cross, and suffer such anguish of soul for naught of Himself. We are instructed to think about what He did for us, enduring the shame of being “lumped” together with sinners, for our sakes, so that we won’t give up (become weary and faint). Consider Him…

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before

her shearers is dumb so He didn’t open his mouth.”

Consider Him…He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He didn’t open his mouth. YET (but; nevertheless; even though), He was oppressed and afflicted … yet … “he opened not his mouth:”

“And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing” (Matthew 27:12).

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“But neither so did their [false] witness agree together. (60) And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? (61) But he held his peace, and answered nothing” (Mark 14:59). “And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. (4) And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. (5) But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marveled” (Mark 15:3).

“Yet he opened not his mouth” – to curse or revile. First Peter 2:21 says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” How often, when we are spoken against do we give a sharp retort (a cutting response)? People say something bad against us, and we answer back, tit for tat! Sometimes we’re right, but probably most of the time we’re wrong. Nevertheless, the Lord showed us by His example that even to death, it is

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not acceptable with Him to curse or revile. Compare that with the New Testament Christian principle, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6). How much more did the Lord have a right to answer these people who sought to crucify Him – He did no evil, from birth until that point. We could all surely learn from Christ’s example:

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1Peter 2:21).

Consider Him…

“Yet he opened not his mouth” – in defense. Though He was guiltless; He didn’t try to defend Himself. How often we try to defend ourselves from accusations, when we should just be quiet, follow Christ’s ultimate example, and wait on the Lord to work it out:

“Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it” (Psalm 37:34).

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“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee” (Proverbs 20:22).

Christ’s passivity left us the Christian’s definitive example which commits all things to God’s hands:

“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (20) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. (21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1Peter 2:19-23).

Consider Him…

“Yet he opened not his mouth” – to complain. It was the Father’s will that He endure this.54 And for

54 See Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42

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us, the things that happen to us fall under the Lord’s Sovereign will,55 so may we learn to follow the Lord’s example and not use our mouths to complain. Consider Him…

“Yet He opened not His mouth” – to call down angels to destroy the world:

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53)?

His concern was for the Father’s will to be accomplished. His concern was for the salvation of His people. His motivation was love; love for the Father, love for the sinner. It also demonstrates His meekness in that though He is Creator God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who could have commanded approximately 72,000 angels 56 to destroy the earth . . . He submitted to this: “yet he opened not his mouth;” “leaving us an example [of meekness] that ye should follow his steps” (1Peter 2:21). Consider Him…

55 See Ephesians 1:11; 1Thessalonians 5:18 56 12 legions x 6,000

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He did however open His mouth to answer direct questions of His Person:

“… the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? (62) And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61-62). “And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it” (Mark 15:2).

He didn’t open His mouth to defend Himself, or curse, or complain, or call down angels, but He did open His mouth to answer who He is in truth. And may we as believers open our mouths to speak the truth when we are asked, as 1Peter 3:15 tells us to do,

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”

“He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,”

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Why is the Lord here compared to a lamb? The Old Testament offerings were only a picture of the perfect Sacrifice to come:

“And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish” (Leviticus 4:32). “Which was a figure for the time then present” (Hebrews 9:9). “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things” (Hebrews 10:1).

So says John the Baptist:

“…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

God provided Himself a lamb (Genesis 22:8). And though this Lamb was oppressed, and He was afflicted, “yet he opened not his mouth.” “And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so

he openeth not his mouth.”

Why shearers? Shearers take the wool off the sheep. They remove the glory of the sheep. It

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illustrates the Lord’s humiliation at the hands of men (the shearers). Unlike our harsh use of the word today, in biblical times, the word “dumb” meant speechless. Thus, the Lord was quiet, He didn’t speak: “he openeth not His mouth.” God of all, lowered Himself to become a man, despised of men, rejected of men, to bare our griefs and carry our sorrows, to suffer the abuses of men, wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, to be punished for crimes that He had not done … so “he openeth not his mouth.” He didn’t open His mouth because it was the Father’s will that He endure it. And until now He still opens not His mouth to condemn, even though we are already condemned (John 3:18) from birth (Romans 5:12). He didn’t come to condemn us:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).

He receives and delivers all sinners:

“… him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37)

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“there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus …” (Romans 8:1)

He didn’t come [then] to judge us either, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). “Yet” there will come a day when He will judge everyone, great and small as Acts 17:31 points out,

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

Now the risen Lord Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father, His work finished, He has entered His rest, and He opens His mouth to say: “Come,”

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

To “whosoever will,”

“And the Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is

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athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

To “believe” on Him for eternal life,

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).

You don’t have to do anything to be saved accept believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). But it does mean that you will naturally drop all those things which hinder you; throw away those sins that pollute you; and forsake the evil that pleases you, and come to Christ for His free gift of eternal worth.

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Verse 8 | He was cut off

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.”

As we approach the eighth verse of Isaiah 53, and the second verse of His PASSIVITY (verses 7-9), we must first break it down because this particular verse is somewhat difficult to grasp at first reading. By way of analysis, there are four clauses in verse eight which make it up:

1. He was taken from prison and from judgment: 2. And who shall declare his generation? 3. For he was cut off out of the land of the living: 4. For the transgression of my people was he stricken.

“He was taken from prison and from judgment:”

In this first clause, let’s look at the two nouns prison and the grave, and then we will look at their actions. First is prison. Have you ever read of Christ being imprisoned in the Gospel accounts? There is no biblical record of Him being held in prison while

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He awaited trial – it all happened fast, within hours: He was arrested, taken to the high priest, to Pilate, then Herod, and back to Pilate, then crucified, and His body placed in a tomb. His “prison” was the grave; and the grave represents death. Job 30:23 sheds some light on this, “For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.” The “house” spoken here is figurative of death. The Lord’s “house” of confinement was the grave.. prison.. death. By way of personal application, we may also take note that it is the end for everybody, and so may we view the worthiness of our pursuits in light of that. Pilate, an instrument of God’s sovereign will, delivered Christ to His death on the cross, and He was buried in a tomb (grave) where His body lay for three days. Yes, there is speculation as to where the Lord was during this time and what He was doing,57 but we know clearly that His body lay in a tomb (a house) for three days. He was in the grave, i.e. He was dead. The second noun is judgment, which speaks of condemnation, a sentence pronounced. Judgment fell on us in the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned (Genesis 2:17), and sin passed to all of us. Scripture verifies this:

57 Refer to 1Peter 3:18-20.

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“There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). “The scripture hath concluded all under sin” (Galatians 3:22). “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). “… condemned already” (John 3:18).

But why as we have already seen was He wounded … bruised … chastised … scourged … and put to death … as a lamb to the slaughter…? He alone who knew no sin (2Corinthians 5:21); He alone who is just (1Peter 3:18); He alone who is righteous (1John 2:1). Why was He condemned for the crimes of failing to follow God’s commands and failure to meet God’s standard of holiness?

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Why did God the Son willingly allow Himself to be judged by the Father and condemned for crimes He had not done, nor even ever thought of doing? Remember, Christ was completely holy within and without. That means He never even had an impure thought! Because someone must be punished for sin – God’s justice demands it. When there is a crime committed, we cry out for justice (that sometimes doesn’t come to pass) . . . But God’s is a perfect justice that demands punishment and will get it. There is no escape. And the only way we can pay for our sin debt, our crimes against God, is an eternity in the Lake of Fire. And that is what will naturally happen to each person not found in Christ, because we are born condemned already (John 3:18) and we are born sinners (Psalm 51:5). But consider Christ . . . who humbled Himself and became a man that He might save US: He suffered, was condemned to die in our place, crucified and buried. That was his judgment – to be put to death in our place. To be separated from God because of crimes that WE have done. He was judged and sent to prison. This is not only physical, but spiritual death – that led Him to cry out “my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!” And why did He endure separation from the Father, you may ask? Romans 5:8 explains it:

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“But God commendeth [showed] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners [condemned], Christ died for us.”

But it didn’t end there . . . we still must see the action of the clause: “He was taken from prison [the grave] and from judgment [condemnation].” To be “taken from” is to be removed out of; to be released from. His sentence was reversed and He was set free. The Lord had been put to death, condemned and made an offering for our sins, laid in a tomb, judged by the Father for our offences but … He arose from the grave (taken from prison and from judgment). He was released from prison (the grave, the hold of death) and from condemnation, as Scripture foresaw:

“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Ps 16:10).

The angel rolled back the stone from the tomb – and Christ went free (Matthew 28:2)! Some religions keep Christ on the Cross, but He is risen. . . Payment was made . . . the transaction was finished! Mark 16:6 proclaims, “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here …”

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and Luke 24:5 asks, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” Why was He set free? Because the Father was pleased with the Son’s sacrifice. And only the Son pleases the Father – in life and in death. Matthew 3:17 says, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Dear Reader, this is the urgency of being found in Christ; apart from Christ, we are in the flesh:

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:6). “…they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8).

We are born into this world spiritually dead in sin, separated from God. That’s why we must be born again (spiritually). Dear Reader, if you are NOT trusting in Christ, do you really believe that it is possible to please God yourself? We cannot please God outside of CHRIST, as Isaiah and the Psalmist tell us:

“…all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, in the eyes of God” (Isaiah 64:6).

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“Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee” (Psalm 16:2).

“He was taken from prison and from

judgment…”

Why? Because Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient. As for us, no matter what we do, we can never reach the standard of God because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Compare that with what we read about the Lord in John 1:14 “… we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Who among us can exemplify this? Only the work of Christ (God) is sufficient. Dear Reader, if you are NOT trusting in Christ, do you really believe you are self sufficient? The Bible tells us that “our sufficiency is of God” (2Corinthians 3:5). “He was taken from prison and from judgment…” Why? Because Christ met the perfect requirements of the law, and holiness. The Lord lived a perfect life, was pure inside and out, He should not be held any longer because it was enough. He paid our debt it in full. He gave his life; He gave his soul; all perfect. No mere man could have accomplished this. Only God

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in the flesh can meet the requirements of God above. This must quiet all teaching that says Christ was not God, that He was only a man – no one else but the Son of God, from the Father Himself would have been good enough for the Father, for “there is none good but one, that is, God” (Matthew 19:17). Dear Reader, if you are NOT trusting in Christ, do you really believe that you are good enough to go to Heaven? To not go to hell? Consider what the great man of faith, the Apostle Paul wrote of himself in Romans 7:18, “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” How much more each of us? “He was taken from prison and from judgment…” Why? Because the Father accepted his son’s offering on our behalf, “a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Peter 1:19), the perfect offering. Jesus Christ the Righteous (the only person who could ever say that) died in our stead; took our shame our judgment (our crimes, our wickednesses, our offences) . . . He became an offering for our offences, so we would not have to stand before God as sinners . . . and be sent to “prison” for eternity, without parole. Is that not beautiful? And He was raised, so that we may know that the Father accepted Christ’s sacrificial offering on our behalf, for our justification (“just – as – if – I – had – never – sinned”):

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“Who was delivered for our offences . . . and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25).

NOW every believer can stand before God with boldness in the day of judgment, because “as he is [righteous], so are we in this world [righteous -- now]” (1John 4:17). Every believer is righteous in God’s eyes, not just in heaven, but here on this earth. You don’t have to die to be a saint, in Christ, you are a saint. Reader, if you are NOT trusting in Christ, do you really believe that you can make yourself acceptable to God? You might be able to make yourself respectable to the people around you, but “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). God is not impressed with your status, ability, accomplishments, degrees, or any other thing. He only considers the sacrifice of His Son as acceptable, and anyone who rests in Jesus Christ’s finished work is looked upon with favor:

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

The glory belongs to Jesus Christ alone who has “made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).

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God won’t share His Son’s glory with another (Isaiah 42:8).

“And who shall declare his generation?”

This particular clause does not have a definite interpretation that I am aware of. Even the early writers were not perfectly clear on “His generation.” It may however mean at least a couple of ideas: 1. It may be speaking of the eternality of the risen Christ; His age, His life (“Who can know His years, or how long His age shall last”). The fact that death has no hold on Him, and that He that was dead is alive forevermore, therefore ever to remain untouchable to death, for He paid the dues:

“… Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more” (Romans 6:9).

2. It may also mean His Spiritual children; the vast numbers of the saved over the centuries; the multitudes . . . who can declare it, or who can express it? It certainly verifies that Christ’s death was not unfruitful, and ties into Hebrews 2:13, “And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” But, in the end, it is basically saying “is there anyone who can explain this?” “Who shall” or who

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can; who is able to; no words can say; “Declare” or say; tell; explain. Compare this with Psalm 118:23, “This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes” and we see that the Lord’s work is beyond our understanding. Thus Isaiah, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, was likely expressing a wondrous admiration in this comment. “For he was cut off out of the land of the living:”

Use of the term “cut off” indicates it was a violent death the Lord suffered. “For” (because) He was cut off… who could understand (who shall declare his generation). He was supposed to be dead but He is alive. Who can explain it (count His years or count His spiritual children); “Who shall declare His generation” – because (“for”) He was supposed to be dead (“for He was cut off out of the land of the living”), yet He lives again. Compare this with Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen …”

“For the transgression of my people was he stricken.”

“Stricken,” speaks of the Lord being smitten (inflicted wounds) to death. This clause is a reminder that Christ died not for His own sins, but for the sins

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and salvation of His people. This was a reminder for the Jews then, to remember: They would errantly esteem Him “stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (v3), so they needed to hear it again and again, and again. We too need to hear it again because many esteem Him not, many despise him, many reject Him, many see no beauty that they should desire Him, and many hide their faces from Him, whether Christians in their behaviors and attitudes, or those not trusting in Christ. Have you partaken in this wonderful work of the Lord on your behalf? Then there is great beauty in Isaiah 53 to be revealed, if you will look closer. I pray the Lord would be pleased to use this study to reveal more of the beauty of Jesus Christ, His PERSON, His PASSION, and His PASSIVITY. If you haven’t partaken, will you neglect such a perfect, great and wonderful salvation (Hebrews 2:3)? It is free for all who will “look to the Lamb of God which taketh away” … our sin.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2Corinthians 5:21).

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Verse 9 | Because he had done no violence

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” In order to get a fuller understanding of verse nine, we need to examine it in context of following verse eight . . .

(v8) “for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (v9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

The “and…” that connects the two verses indicates that not only was He cut off out of the land of the living; and not only was He stricken for the transgression of my people; but He was also prepared to endure the shame of being buried with the wicked. Even in His death the Lord was willing to suffer humiliation for us by being buried with “wicked” men.

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“He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death;”

Who are the “wicked” spoken of here? These are those who were put to death for various crimes: thieves, murderers, conspirators, and other criminals. The Romans did not give honor to those who were unworthy enough to be crucified. They simply threw them in graves with the other criminals as another way of disgrace in death for those who broke Roman law. In Bible times, this was considered a great dishonor. Compare with Jeremiah 26:23:

And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.

Remember, the Lord was crucified between two thieves. The Romans considered Him no different than any other dishonored offender. Consequently, the Lord was going to be put in a grave right next to those lawbreakers. Note the Lord’s willingness to endure this additional affliction and insult: “he made his grave with the wicked.” This means that He was willingly ready to put Himself among the graves of the wicked, because He “prepared” (“made”) Himself a place

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there. It doesn’t say that this was forced upon Him, but rather He chose to allow Himself to be put in an unmarked, common grave. He came, dwelt among us, carried our sorrows, bore our griefs; and in the end was ready to make His grave with the wicked; a complete and thorough humiliation. From birth, in life, in death, and even after death, the Lord was ready to humble Himself for our sakes. A more generalized implication of this humiliation is that “He made his grave with the wicked” of Adam’s race – us. Need evidence that we are wicked? Jeremiah 17:9 says that our hearts are desperately wicked. We are wicked people, doing wicked things . . . are we not thieves? Are we not murderers? First John 5:19 says, “…the whole world lieth in wickedness.” Isaiah 53:9 is saying that He was prepared to make His grave with us . . . Adam’s evil race. Proverbs 11:21 tells us that, “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished.” Therefore, since Jesus Christ took the sinner’s place on the cross, became sin for us, receiving their just due, He must therefore of necessity be punished. In that, the Lord “made” His grave with the “wicked” race of men.

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His grave was appointed with the wicked;58 for this would have been the natural course of action for the Lord who had died a criminal’s death. This would have been the natural course, if it were not for Divine providence; Christ would have been buried with wicked men. But a “rich man” named Joseph of Arimathaea humbly went to Pilate and begged him for Christ’s body:

“When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: (58) He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus” (Matthew 27:57-58).

God had providentially already inclined Pilate’s heart to grant that request so that Isaiah 53:9 might be fulfilled:

“The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).

We can learn from this that we must go to God first, before approaching an authority. It is God who can prepare their heart to grant your desire. And so

58 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 9. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain]

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Pilate, who had declared Jesus a “just” man, before His crucifixion, granted Joseph’s request: “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing ... washed his hands ... saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person...” (Matthew 27:24).

“...Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered” (Matthew 27:58).

And Joseph laid the body of Christ in his tomb – a new tomb, for a rich man:

“And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, (60) And laid it in his own new tomb...” (Matthew 27:59).

Such care and tenderness for the body of the Lord, that gave it a more honorable and loving burial. And so the Scripture was fulfilled, that, “he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death...” “Because he had done no violence, neither was

any deceit in his mouth.”

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Why is this point so important and repeated? Because people must understand that Jesus Christ is more than just a man – but God-Man. Then and now it must be proclaimed: He was the Perfect and Complete Sacrifice. “Because;” for the reason of – that Christ had done no violence, neither was there deceit in His mouth. It sounds like an odd way of saying something, but what this phrase is doing is reinforcing the fact that the Lord was an innocent “man.” It is in effect saying that: Because He was just (1Peter 3:18); Because He was righteous (2Corinthians 5:21); Because He was good (Matthew 19:16-17). He was guiltless of any crime or evil against God or man; because of this He went from making His grave with the wicked, to being buried with the rich in His death. Remember, Pilate declared Jesus an innocent “man.” The fact that He had done no violence, nor was He found a liar, warranted His proper burial. Just as God the Father would not allow His Son to endure complete obscurity in His birth, bringing shepherds to visit Christ as a babe (Luke 2:16) and wise men bringing gifts in His infancy (Matthew 2:11); neither would He allow a complete dishonoring of His Son in death. He made His grave with the wicked; and with the rich in His death because . . .

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“He had done no violence”

He had done no evil, no wrong, no harm. He did only good:

He healed the nobleman’s son; the woman with the issue of blood, the lepers, the blind, the lame, the palsy, and on it goes; that’s only what is written (John 20:30); He fed 5,000 men, out of compassion; He taught the Word of God in the synagogues; blessed are the peace makers; forgiveness of sins; love for enemies; treat others as you would be treated; love the Lord; He preached repentance toward God and faith in the Gospel: Get right with God, our Creator; respond to His message of redemption, for our own good.

Are these things that warrant a death penalty? No, certainly not. But may we be reminded, that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2Timothy 3:12). The world hated Christ then, and still hates Him now; and will hate us too, if we are openly letting Him live through us.

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Christ lived peaceably with all men. And so are we commanded to follow our Good Shepherd’s example, not to attack, but to live peacefully. Sometimes as Christians, we get caught up in causes which lead us to look like wild extremists. That’s not what the Lord taught us:

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36). “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). “Follow peace with all men, ...” (Hebrews 12:14). “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

There is nothing wrong with voicing a concern, but as Christians, we are supposed to be different. Christians are Christ-like; Christ-ones. There should be something in us that is different than the world:

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“… how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? … (22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22). “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).

We are to be forgiving, and do good works, not be involved in violence. The Lord had done no violence, and for all this He was traded for a murderer, Barabbas (Luke 23:18-25); the just for the unjust (1Peter 3:18). What a poignant illustration of our depravity. The Jewish spiritual leaders who stirred up the crowd didn’t see Christ in the Law and the Prophets, which point to Him. They didn’t want to admit their need for his righteousness because they thought they had enough of their own.

“Neither was any deceit in his mouth”

No trickery. No “fakeness.” No cheating. No scams. The Lord is not guilty of these things, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1Peter 2:22). What you hear is what you get. He speaks only the truth (Titus 1:2), for He is the truth

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(John 14:6). How do we use our mouths? – To praise God; to edify brethren; to share Christ; to teach the Word of God? Or do we use our mouths to tell dirty jokes; to gossip; to sow discord; to yell at our neighbors? Our Perfect Example showed us how to use our mouths; to speak truth, “neither was any deceit in His mouth.” Well speaks 1John 3:5 about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”

Isaiah 53:9 reminds us of the beauty of the Lord’s conduct and speech. May we as believers learn to yield ourselves to the Spirit of Christ more, so that we may walk as He lived while on earth: Doing good; living peacefully; proclaiming the truth. And may we see more clearly His worth, His value, and His loveliness from this verse.

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Verse 10 | It pleased the lord to bruise him

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.”

Who killed Jesus?

As we begin the final section of Isaiah 53, we enter into His PORTION, which speaks of the Lord’s reward for His labors; the results of His PASSION and PASSIVITY. Verse 10 is a deep verse that reveals something about the transaction that took place between Father and Son, on our behalf. Nearly ten years ago I preached a message asking that same question. Since of course readers of this book were not in attendance that night, I ask it again. If you want to know the answer to that intriguing question, please read on. But you may get a surprise.

“Yet…”

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This word is related to the end of the previous verse: “(9) he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth, which speaks of the purity of the Lord, who made His grave with the wicked and the rich in His death.” So, even though (“Yet”), “He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth,” . . .

“It pleased the LORD to bruise him;”

The Scriptures do not say that God merely allowed men to afflict His Son, but God, the LORD, the Father Himself, bruised Him . . . He Himself put Christ His Son to death. Not only that, but it even pleased the Father to do it! Why (you may ask)? I’ll attempt to illustrate why the Father did it, and why it pleased Him to do it, by way of example: Imagine: One quiet August evening, innocent people are sleeping soundly in a house, and a small group of people sent by their leader breaks in, and attacks the residents. They beat, torment, shoot (their faces), stab repeatedly (16 times, 51 times, etc), and mercilessly murder the people in the house with knives. There is blood everywhere, and the murderers even wrote evil words on the walls of the rooms in the blood of their victims. Even more hideous – the woman of the house was several months pregnant, they killed her unborn baby too; a

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very, very violent scene. How does that make you feel? Does it make you sick? It’s a true story.59 Many years ago this really happened. How do you feel about the leader of that group who ordered it; or the people who committed this act? Is he, are they worthy of death? You would probably even take pleasure in seeing him and them get the electric chair. Let’s look at it from a different angle . . . God created man and Adam disobeyed His command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and sin entered the world, corrupting everything, and all human-kind became evil: Evil creatures, corrupt, wicked, and abominable:

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

As a fallen human race, we kill whether in heart, in mind, or in hand; we lie, we rape, we worship idols, we steal, we covet, we fornicate, we are haters of God, proud, selfish, drunken, revelers, full of hatred, use witchcraft, are rebellious, vile, filthy, full of envy, despise the holiness of God, are filled with all unrighteousness, and on and on it goes! And in the

59 Charles Manson, L.A., 1969, Tate-Labianco Murders

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sight of God, our wickedness, our sin, our evil is appalling, abomination and worthy of death. Consider the many atrocities that are committed each day, the rape, the incest, the abuse, the slaughter of people and animals, the pillaging, the wrongdoing, the bloodlust, the false religions, and the like. But God is purely holy, and “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13). He cannot excuse sin – it is offensive, and abominable, repulsive, horrible, vile in His sight. It must be punished. God hates sin. We (mankind), God’s creation, have broken God’s laws and gone against His holiness, and do evil and all manner of wickedness. Which laws have you broken? Which laws have you not broken? Break one and you are guilty of them all (James 2:20). What evil have you done? What evil have you thought? Our hearts are evil We have unholy imaginations We are unrighteous in our behavior We are naturally enemies of God

It pleased the LORD to bruise him because, “The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable” (Isaiah 42:21). God says that righteousness pleases Him

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and that He will make sure His law is upheld, and not trampled, because God is honorable. We have committed crimes against holy God and are worthy of death . . . eternal separation, in the Lake of Fire. “It pleased the lord to bruise him because,” the evil which we have done, we do, and yes will do, was laid upon Christ, and it delighted the Father to punish someone for it! Not just any someone, but the Perfect someone, Jesus Christ, the only Person who could be punished for it, yet still save men. The perfect way to pay for our sins without destroying us: To administer justice yet show love. “It pleased the LORD to bruise him because,” it meant the salvation of sinners. One day, God is going to let loose his full wrath but He sent His only begotten Son to save people from it by putting our guilt and shame upon Him. It pleased the Lord to punish our evil, because it pleased the Lord to provide a way to save us from His wrath, all at the cost of his Son, who gave his life a ransom for many. And you and I had no part in it – God made all the plans in eternity past (Ephesians 3:11), and God carried them out.

“He hath put him to grief:”

The Father, made Christ to suffer for crimes that we have done. Man’s sin – our need was the cause,

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but the Lord was the means: punishing Christ instead of us brought us salvation.

“When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,”

Not just His body, but His soul was tormented, as indicated by Matthew and Mark’s account. His whole being was troubled from a sense of God’s wrath coming upon Him:

“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). “And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch” (Mark 14:34).

The Holy fire of God was to come upon His soul on the cross. Like the fire from heaven which consumed the sacrifice on the altar in the Old Testament typified:60

60 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 10. Thomas Scott Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain].

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“And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering…” (Leviticus 9:24).

But His was the substance; the true and real: The end of all sacrifices, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). All other offerings in the Old Testament were only shadows of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1). Only Christ’s offering would suffice. If you are not trusting Christ Dear Reader: Do you really think you can offer anything better to God in for your sins? “…if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2:21). Why did Christ have to die if you could satisfy God’s demands yourself; if you could offer something better than Christ? What can a man give in exchange for his soul (Mark 8:37)? Nothing we have can satisfy God. Nothing we can do of ourselves can satisfy God’s righteous demands: not good deeds, not money, not trying to follow the Ten Commandments, not praises, not success, not reading ten chapters a day in your Bible, not being a member of church. Only Christ pleases the Father. Is there anything better than Christ? However, though he was “offered,” Jesus Christ would live again to see his seed . . .

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“He shall see his seed,”

“He” is Christ, the Lord (the Second Person of the Trinity). “His” is Christ. His “seed” are the multitude of redeemed resulting from His work. Compare with Psalm 22:30,

“A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.”

“See” is a reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ (He was dead, now alive, “cut off” out of the land of the living; yet He shall see His seed). In other words, He will see the fruit of His sacrifice. And what is that fruit? Revelation 7:9-10 describes it:

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (10) And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

Jesus did not sacrifice Himself vainly. There was a definite result from His selfless act. It wasn’t a “hail Mary.” Yet, everything we do of the flesh is vanity

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(Ecclesiastes 1:2). The Lord bought a great multitude of redeemed, reconciled, saved people . . . with his blood. This is His “seed,” this is the “fruit” of His labor, and “in all labour there is profit” (Proverbs 14:23). Christ’s was the ultimate labor, for the ultimate profit – our profit.

“He shall prolong his days,”

“He” is God. “His” is the risen Christ, raised to immortal life, death having no more rule over Him, who shall reign eternally:

“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him” (Romans 6:9).

And His kingdom shall have no end . . .

“And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:33). “And the pleasure of the lord shall prosper in his hand.”

What is that pleasure? The conversion and salvation of sinners through Christ according to the

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pleasure of his good will (Ephesians 1:5). Therefore, Christ endured His passion and passivity:

“... who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

God delights in saving His people . . .

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10)

And the pleasure of the LORD “shall prosper” in His hand, means that God’s will, and His salvation will not be thwarted. People shall be saved – none can resist His will . . . He will save. Daniel 4:35 says that, “... he doeth according to his will ... and none can stay his hand ...” So, who killed Jesus? . . . The Father did. Not men, not Pilate, not the Jews, not the Romans – these were only instruments. It wasn’t an accident, it

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wasn’t “plan B,” nor was it “oops, what will I do now?” This all happened according to God’s Divine plan. Why? Because our sin must be punished, but God sent His only begotten Son to be punished in our stead; when we could not help ourselves – when we were without strength. And it was for you and me that He was punished, for all who believe. Justice met love . . . and Love made a way. First John 4:10 tells us, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Propitiation is synonymous with appeasement, or satisfaction, specifically towards God. Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to him. Love goes back to God

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Yet here means that we are worthy of death, because we are “still” sinners61 when the Lord came to redeem us. Reader, if you haven’t already looked to the Lamb of God for your soul’s salvation, will you

61 Sin is the transgression of the law, which the only penalty thereof is death.

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neglect, or will you respond to the love of God – Jesus Christ – the manifestation of God’s love, God’s expression of His love for us.

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all …” (Romans 8:32)

Dear Reader do not neglect the gift of God, Jesus Christ, or one day you will experience the wrath of God because you ignored the suffering of His Righteous Servant for sinners. What a waste that would be, because someday, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10). It’s better to do it now, than to do it then. Dear Reader, if you are a sinner – not just someone who does bad things sometimes; but if you see yourself as someone whose sinful condition is beyond hope of self, and you know your only hope is to look outside of yourself. . . Jesus Christ died for you:

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1Timothy 1:15).

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Verse 11 | He… shall be satisfied

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”

He who was dead; He who was cut off out of the land of the living; who made His grave with the wicked and the rich in His death; who was led as a lamb to the slaughter; He who was bruised of the LORD; who was offered for sin . . . Will live again to see the fruit from His travail (painful work; toil; agony; labor). . . The blessed fruit from all His labors and sufferings (v10): His seed. . . (Believers from all generations) The pleasure of the LORD. . . (In fulfilling His purposes) The salvation of sinners. . . (The condemned shall be redeemed) The glory of the LORD. . . (God is glorified – the ultimate priority).

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“He shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied:”

What was the “travail” of His soul you may ask? The afflictions mentioned previously in Isaiah 53:

(4) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

It was of such anguish that, “He sweat … great drops of blood…” before His arrest and subsequent crucifixion (Luke 22:44). It was travail as of a woman with child, ready to give birth:

“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: . . . but as soon as she is delivered of the child,. . . she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world” (John 16:21).

This points to . . .

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“And be satisfied:”

The Lord came to earth, as a man, born of a virgin, in humble beginnings, bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, taught, preached, healed, saying, “I have finished the work” in His High-Priestly prayer (John 17:4); and He bore our sins on the cross of Calvary declaring it “finished” (John19:30). The results: The salvation of all for whom Christ died: Because He is satisfied and He will not be disappointed, because none of His redeemed shall be lost:

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me” (John 6:37).

Christ’s satisfaction means that God the Father is satisfied, so He is satisfied. And His satisfaction is demonstrated in the eternal security of every believer:

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:28).

“By his knowledge shall my righteous servant

justify many;”

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“By his knowledge.” Knowledge in the biblical sense means a personal, intimate familiarity; an understanding; an awareness; a belief on. It is not a head knowledge but knowledge applied by the Holy Spirit using Scripture to a heart that has been granted faith. It is knowing Him as a Person – as one intimate friend “knows” another friend. It is not knowing about Him. Biblically, it is the same thing as believing in him:

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Corinthians 4:6).

And what is that knowledge? Peter said it well: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Quite simply, it is believing that Jesus Christ is exactly who He says He is. And how do we come to know Him? Through the Gospel:

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the

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Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1Timothy 3:16).

His Gospel makes known his Person, His love, His righteousness, His atonement, and His salvation; and thus, “by the knowledge of him,” the Messiah “would justify many.” And it is only the Gospel that God is pleased to use to bring men to Christ for a personal saving relationship. That is why Paul preached it, and why we need to share it as well:

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2Corinthians 4:5). “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1Corinthians 2:2). “But we preach Christ crucified” (1Corinthians 1:23). “Whom we preach, warning every man” (Colossians 1:28).

But the true Gospel can only be heard from the Scriptures:

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“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

This is why we as Christians need to be sure that wherever we share Christ, the Word of God must be present. Believers can rejoice in true knowledge:

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1John 5:20).

“But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:24).

And once saved, believers are not to just stop there:

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Peter 3:18). “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1).

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“My righteous servant.” Jeremiah 33:16, declares the LORD “our righteousness,” and Isaiah 42:1 says of Him, “… in whom my soul delighteth.” This was a statement made to dispel false accusations62 (Jews) as well as show the Lord’s fitness for this great work of justifying sinners (all men):

“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).

Remember, He had no fault and no guilt. He carried our sorrows; was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed; All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all; for the transgression of my people was he stricken; he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth . . . He is, was, and ever will be righteous. “Justify many.” Justify is a legal term63 meaning to treat one as if he is legally righteous. In the court

62 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 11. Matthew Poole Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain] 63 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 11. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain]

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of God, the believer has been declared not guilty; innocent (justified); righteous (pure, holy), clean of any and all crimes – in Christ. But if you are not in Christ, your are still guilty, condemned. If you desire to be justified by your good deeds, by following the commands of God, we cannot be justified by the law (following the Ten Commandments):

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).

The law will condemn you. It will lead to your condemnation. Don’t put your faith in the law to enter heaven, because no one but Jesus Christ could ever fulfill it – every jot and tittle. For all of us – all men and women, boy or girl, born into this world: Hell is before us, and judgment upon us, condemnation sure. But Christ, the Righteousness of God came that we might be acquitted from the guilt of our sins, and all the dreadful consequences thereof:64

“… [we are] justified by his blood, [and] saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:9).

64 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 11. Matthew Poole Commentary. PowerBible CD [Open Domain]

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“… justified by faith, [and] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

So who is he that condemns us? No one can, it is Christ that died for you Dear Reader (Romans 8:34). No one can condemn you if you are in Christ. It is God who justifies. The Judge has dismissed your case, because of what the Lord has done for us. Now that is a Gospel worth sharing! This is why we must be “found in him, not having [our] own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9). And it’s why the LORD says, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), because it is the most needful thing for all of us to do. “Many.” This is clearly written here that Christ will not justify all but, “all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:39). There is a saying that I have heard over the years which is applicable here: One thief [on the cross next to Jesus] was saved that none need despair, but only one, that none would presume. It wasn’t a “shotgun” approach God used for the salvation of sinners. We have a human responsibility to respond to the Gospel in faith; however, without God’s gift of faith, we cannot believe (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is why we must give

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God the glory in every part of salvation. This statement also tells us that the LORD already knew you before you even responded to the Gospel. He knew who you were, because He said “many,” and not “all,” indicating He already knew who was going to respond to the message of salvation in Christ. We love Him because He first loved us, and we know Him because He first knew us. Which is why in Heaven we will sing, “Thou art worthy …” (Revelation 5:9), because “salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9).

“For he shall bear their iniquities.”

He shall satisfy the justice of God, by bearing the punishment due to their sins; 65 the sinner's Substitute who came to, “minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). But who is “their” in “their iniquities?” Those who have received knowledge of Him: The “many:” [The] All that the Father giveth [Christ, who] shall come to [Him] of John 6:37. For those visual, systematic, mathematical readers, Isaiah 53:11 says it like this:

65 Comments on Isaiah 53 verse 11. John Wesley's Notes on the Old and New Testaments. PowerBible CD [Open Domain].

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“He shall see” . . . [His resurrection] (+) “Of the travail of his soul” . . . [His finished work] (+) “And shall be satisfied” . . . [His glory] (+) “By His knowledge” . . . [His Gospel, which people will hear, know, and understand] (+) “Shall my righteous servant” . . . [His sufficiency] (=) “Justify many” . . . [His righteousness means that many are made righteous]

“For he shall bear their iniquities” . . . [His suffering: For those who received knowledge; those given an understanding].

However, the opposite is true:

[The Lord will] Pour out [His] wrath upon the heathen that have not known [Him], and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon [His] name (Psalm 79:6)

. “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished

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with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2Thessalonians 1:8-9).

Dear Reader, if you haven’t already, go to Jesus Christ. Humble yourself before God (become as a little child, a helpless sheep) . . . seek the mercy of God in the face of Jesus Christ: the WAY of God; the TRUTH of God; the LIFE from God. And believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved (Acts 16:31).

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Verse 12 | He… shall divide the spoil

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

It is the END of the matter; the conclusion of what began in verse one – God reached out to man: When we were yet dead in our sins . . . separated from God because of sin . . . in the kingdom of Satan . . . without hope of ourselves. We saw the PAST (His incarnation – the Word became flesh) . . . The PRESENT, our condition: All we like sheep have gone astray – how we as sheep follow sin, flock to evil, and go the way which seemeth right but ends in death (like sheep getting food on a slippery slope . . . And the FUTURE (He shall be satisfied: the glory of God in the salvation of sinners). All as it relates to Jesus Christ. And now our final verse, twelve, wraps it all up, and it begins with His glory . . .

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“Therefore will i divide him a portion with the great”

“Portion.” What do “great” people receive? – Glory, honor, riches, and praise (e.g. Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Michael Jordan). That’s their portion. However, it is a temporal, fading “portion” for them. Where is Alexander now? Where is Julius Caesar? They are dead. Michael Jordan’s time in the limelight has passed. But this clause is speaking of eternal glory, honor, and praise unto Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour:

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (Revelation 5:13).

This is Christ’s portion for His awesome work, which no man can approach. So, why will the Father divide Him a portion with the Great? “Therefore.” When you see a “therefore,” stop and see what its “there” “for.” It is going to refer to a preceding statement. Here, it refers to the end of the previous verse: “He shall bare their iniquities” (v11). . . But it

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is also the result of all the previous verses; the whole of the chapter. We see the same idea in Philippians 2:9 “Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him.” Why? Because He made Himself of no reputation, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death… on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

“And he shall divide the spoil with the strong;”

“Spoil” is a term that relates to war, the riches of the enemy, his treasures, valuables, important items, are his “spoil.” The LORD didn’t come the first time for physical warfare (which is what the Jews expected – liberation from Roman rule). First was spiritual the more needful, because though our outward man dies, our soul lives on. Spoil referred to here are spiritual spoils. Satan had the treasures because of the consequences of man’s sin: Death is our curse for eternity, and the fear of death troubles us; Fear of hell torments us; Depravity ruined us, causing us to do unspeakable things; These things are the consequence of sin – our fall, which put us into the kingdom of Satan, because we naturally cannot be with God. And the Devil is glad (these are his treasures, his pleasures, his

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valuables), because these things keep us from a right relationship with God, our Creator. But God made a way and set us free and we see it in Isaiah 53 through Christ’s sacrifice. Christ came to proclaim liberty to the captives, and open the prison to them that are bound (Isaiah 61:1), freeing us from the Devil’s kingdom. That’s the Good News. That’s the Gospel. The Father was satisfied with Christ’s sacrifice, and we no longer have to live in the fear of death and hell, and suffer from the effects of sin because those people in Christ are no longer a part of the kingdom of Satan. God could not have us the way we are naturally, and the Devil had free reign over us, because we were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), but God took His people out of the kingdom of Satan and translated them into the Kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13). The Lord spoiled the strong man’s house (Matthew 12:29), Satan’s domain, the god of this world (2Corinthians 4:4), the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) as well as his powers and principalities, angels and authorities and powers were all made subject to Jesus Christ (1Peter 3:22) as a result of His sacrifice. He made a show of them openly (Colossians 2:16) putting them to shame, removing their power

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(control, authority) over us. Christ ended the power of death, despair, and fear over His people, and set His people (believers… sinners saved by grace) free. And the best thing is that He did it alone. That’s why He gets the glory. If you or I had anything to do with it, we would have “messed it up.” But Jesus Christ became our Hero, the Hero of every believer. And the Lord not only got the spoils, but . . . He shared the blessings . . .

“He shall divide the spoil”

Ephesians 4:8 says, “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” He not only put under His subjection evil powers, but He also gave gifts unto men; that is He shared the benefits, and treasures. He divided the spoil with His people. What are those benefits you may ask? In Christ believers have: Instead of death, life … instead of eternal death, eternal life; Instead of hell, heaven; Instead of condemnation, justification; Instead of corruption, incorruption; Instead of transgression and iniquity, righteousness;

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Instead of being enemies of God, a personal relationship with Him; Instead of being children of the Devil, children of God; Instead of being lost in sin, found in Christ; Instead of religiousness, worship in spirit and truth; And the list could go on and on! “Strong.” Who are they? The “strong” in the Lord are those who are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37). First John 4:4 tells us,

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them [the spirit of antichrist in the world]: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

First Corinthians 15:57 says,

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Why did the Lord have these spoils? They were His “portion.” “Because” He hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors;

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and he bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. “Because” he gave all that he could give . . . His holy life, a ransom for many. “Because” He became a man and He was identified with transgressors:

He did not avoid publicans and sinners (Mark 2:16); He died on a cross between two thieves (Mark 15:27); He “grew up” (v2; before Him as a tender plant…) in Nazareth of Galilee;66

From beginning to end of His life, He was associated with, identified with, counted with transgressors (lawbreakers) . . . us . . . for all men are lawbreakers – but He was not one of them; “Because” He became the sinner’s Substitute; “Because” He rescued, “made intercession” for His people. “Intercession” means that He came to our rescue. The Lord came between us and an angry, holy God. He stood in the gap made by sin67 when wrath was ready to come upon us. When we were yet without

66 See chapter two for more explanation of Nazareth of Galilee. 67 Compare with Isaiah 59:2

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strength, Satan’s trophies, rotting in prison, waiting to be executed (one heartbeat away from final damnation) . . . in the fullness of time, Christ died for the ungodly. And He still intercedes for the believers today, at the right hand of God:

“…if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1). “… who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).

He rescued us (our position) and now He intercedes for our sanctification, because we still sin while we are in this flesh. When we sin, the nail prints in His hands and feet are there, for us. Dear Reader, if you are not in Christ, you must know your situation right now: NO ONE is standing between you and God’s wrath – and you are a heartbeat away from it. NO ONE is interceding for you before God right now. Flee to Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:12 says:

Therefore [for all He endured for OUR sake] will I divide him a portion with the great, [His glory, His praise] and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; [He will share His treasures with His people] because he hath poured out his soul

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unto death: [He gave ALL that He could give] and he was numbered with the transgressors; [He became a man among wicked men] and he bare the sin of many, [He became OUR Substitute – the sinners’ Substitute] and made intercession for the transgressors. [He delivered His people AND His present ministry].

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And the chapter ends

We have come to the end of a very precious chapter in the Bible. May it be that we have seen a clearer glimpse of the beauty of the Lord, His value, and worthiness. We have seen the Gospel written in the Old Testament – 700 years before it happened: A testimony to its inspiration. It is also quite an evangelistic, and poetic account of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He endured for every sinner, and sufficient of itself to be used of the Lord to bring a person to saving faith. In verse 1 we saw the arm of the LORD (His Deity) . . . and to whom He reveals it (by grace are ye saved…); In verses 2-3 we saw His lowly entrance into this world from His home in glory (His PERSON) . . . a tender plant (human frailty), a root out of a dry ground (not wealthy, from Nazareth), no form or comeliness (not impressive), no beauty that we should desire Him; In verses 4-6 we saw how He suffered for us (His PASSION) . . . bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, wounded, bruised, chastised, whipped; In verses 7-9 we saw how He did not condemn (His PASSIVITY) . . . opened not His mouth, as a lamb to the slaughter;

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In verses 10-12 we saw His reward for all these things; the fruit of His labor, and His future (His PORTION) . . . His seed, the pleasure of the Lord, prolong His days; and that even though He died, He would see His seed. In other words, He would rise again! Isaiah fifty three ends on the twelfth verse. After that, is an eternal bliss for those who have trusted the Lord, those who have believed on Him, His name, His work, His blood. And May it be a refreshing reminder to every believer of His beauty that we might come to adore Him more than ever before, and cause us to return to our First Love, and a sweet fellowship with Him once again. It isn’t a duty but a joy to tell someone about a person you adore, a person whom you spend so much time with. How many people these days spend their time talking about the news, current events, gossip, a famous movie star or singer they don’t even know, but how little time is spent talking about the Lord whom we are supposed to love and adore more than all others. Isaiah 53 tells us of the Person who died on the cross for sinners 2,000 years ago: What He ENDURED for sinners; The WORK that He did for sinners; His BEAUTY;

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It tells us the MESSAGE He gave for believers. Isaiah 53 paints a detailed picture of the work of the Lord. And o, may it be such a beautiful picture in our hearts of Jesus Christ the Righteous, and may He be so adored in our hearts that we would burst if we could not share Him with someone! That it would be a pleasure, not an obligation; that it would be our blessing, not a duty; that He would be adored so much in His people that we would NOT want to break fellowship with Him over sin; that our eyes would be upon Him, not this life or its worldly pleasures. Dear Reader, Jesus Christ endured all of this (Isaiah 53) for you. Is He not praiseworthy? He left glory for you. He suffered for you. He suffered and died for you. He rose for you. Rejoice dear Christian in the beauty of the Lord! And if you haven’t already, He says come:

“Come. … let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

Lay aside your pride, your enjoyment of worldly pleasures, bitterness, laziness, business – that which keeps you from Christ. Bring your sinful self, and your sinfulness which burdens you with great

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conviction and grief, and come, look to the Lamb of God, “which taketh away the sins of the world:

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb? Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb; There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb! Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?68

68 Hoffman, Elisha A. (1878). Are You Washed in The Blood of The Lamb. Hymn. Spiritual Songs for Gospel Meetings and the Sunday School (Cleveland, Ohio: Barker & Smellie, 1878). Retrieved from http://www.hymntime.com.

Where Is The Beauty That We Should

Desire Him?

These days in many churches and fellowships, there seems to be an almost

over-emphasis on and even demanding push to make disciples (which seems to turn many

non-Christians off) and ministry but very little emphasis on getting to know Christ more

intimately and knowing the fellowship of His sufferings.

In Revelation 2:4, the Lord reminds us that loving Him is our FIRST priority; the

works (including the "Great Commission," "making disciples" and "soul-winning") will

naturally follow; meaning that the Lord is

FIRST concerned with our RELATIONSHIP. Beauty... is meant to be inspirational and

devotional for the Christian and evangelical for the non-; drawing us to see more of the

beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, and return us to our First Love, OR

bring others to Him for the first time.