Day 143: The Lord’s Suffering Servant

*Isaiah 53:1-12

Isaiah 53 describes a suffering servant of God who bears the punishment for the sins of others.

• The Suffering Servant Prophecy:
  • The passage begins with a description of the suffering servant, who is portrayed as despised and rejected by others, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
  • Despite his lowly appearance, the prophet declares that the suffering servant will bear the sins and sorrows of the people, undergoing affliction and punishment on their behalf.
• The Servant’s Rejection and Sacrifice:
  • The prophet explains that the suffering servant will be despised and rejected by his own people, bearing their griefs and carrying their sorrows.
  • He is described as being wounded for their transgressions, crushed for their iniquities, and chastised for their peace, with his suffering bringing about their healing and reconciliation.
• Silent Submission to Suffering:
  • Despite being oppressed and afflicted, the suffering servant is portrayed as willingly submitting to his suffering, like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before its shearers, remaining silent and not opening his mouth.
  • He is unjustly condemned and cut off from the land of the living, suffering humiliation and death as a sacrifice for the sins of the people.
• Victory Through Suffering:
  • The prophet declares that through the suffering servant’s affliction and death, he will justify many and bear their iniquities, reconciling them to God and securing their salvation.
  • Despite his apparent defeat and rejection, the suffering servant will ultimately see the fruit of his labor and be satisfied, as he will justify many and divide the spoils of victory with the strong.
• Divine Purpose and Redemption:
  • The passage concludes by affirming that the suffering servant’s sacrifice is part of God’s divine plan for redemption, as he will intercede for the transgressors and make atonement for their sins.
  • The suffering servant’s ultimate victory and exaltation are assured, as he will be numbered among the great and receive the reward of his faithful obedience.

Isaiah 53:1-12 reminds us of Jesus’ great love and sacrifice for us. He suffered and took the punishment for our sins so that we could be forgiven and have peace with God. This teaches us to be grateful for His love and to trust Him completely. No matter what mistakes we’ve made, Jesus offers us grace and a fresh start. Because of His example, we should also show love, kindness, and forgiveness to others, just as He has done for us.

Isaiah 53:1-12 (WEB)

53:1 Who has believed our message?

To whom has the LORD’s arm been revealed?

2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant,

and as a root out of dry ground.

He has no good looks or majesty.

When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He was despised

and rejected by men,

a man of suffering

and acquainted with disease.

He was despised as one from whom men hide their face;

and we didn’t respect him.

 

4 Surely he has borne our sickness

and carried our suffering;

yet we considered him plagued,

struck by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions.

He was crushed for our iniquities.

The punishment that brought our peace was on him;

and by his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray.

Everyone has turned to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

7 He was oppressed,

yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth.

As a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and as a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he didn’t open his mouth.

8 He was taken away by oppression and judgment.

As for his generation,

who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living

and stricken for the disobedience of my people?

9 They made his grave with the wicked,

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

nor was any deceit in his mouth.

 

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him.

He has caused him to suffer.

When you make his soul an offering for sin,

he will see his offspring.

He will prolong his days

and the LORD’s pleasure will prosper in his hand.

11 After the suffering of his soul,

he will see the light and be satisfied.

My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself;

and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion with the great.

He will divide the plunder with the strong,

because he poured out his soul to death

and was counted with the transgressors;

yet he bore the sins of many

and made intercession for the transgressors.