December 16, 2002
Jan. 13
___Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Healed by his wounds
___By Bill Roe
___Scripture for this week's lesson is Isaiah 52:13-53:12, with concentration on 53:1-12. This Scripture is the fourth of the passages in Isaiah called the "Servant Songs." The first three were the subject of last week's study. Most of us are more familiar with this week's verses--they are often used in preaching about the promised Messiah.
___My spouse is my encourager in walking for exercise. To me, it is boring, so she sometimes suggests a different place to walk. On a recent late afternoon, she suggested we walk at the Cleburne airport. This encouraged me, because of my love for airplanes and flying.
___As we walked around the perimeter of the airport, we observed the arrival of a jet. As we approached it, the pilot came toward us and inquired about the availability of fuel at that evening hour, then invited us into the plane as he phoned the airport manager.
___This was a thrill to me, since this was a new plane, with all the "bells and whistles" available. The instrument panel in the cockpit was hardly recognizable--multiple video screens, Global Positioning System moving maps; few instruments recognizable from my former days as a pilot. What a change from the instruments of 30 years back when I was a student pilot. A revolution of change!
___In our world, change seems constant, and few, if any, things remain constant.
___Those who heard Isaiah's message of the coming Messiah did not receive it as change but heresy. Israel--in bondage in Babylon, longing for Jehovah to send them a Warrior King to free them, but instead hearing the message he would be a servant, suffering, ignored, abused, killed--would not believe.
___While our vantage point is looking back across the centuries, they had to look forward without the comfort we have in Jesus Christ. This enables us to read the introductory statement in 53:1 and understand the answer would be, "No one will believe this message!" This simply could not be possible.
___As we allow the Lord to speak to us in our day, we are amazed by the exact way Isaiah describes the events concering the death of the Savior which would take place hundreds of years in the future. Consider carefully this prophetic and descriptive passage.
___The unbelievable
___servant (Isaiah 53:1-3)
___These verses depict for us not only the lack of acceptance of Isaiah's message, but the fact that the Messiah would not conform to the expected kingly presence or physical attraction or expressions of wisdom. Instead, he would not have an appearance that would make him stand out, nothing to attract us to him; in fact, he would be despised and forsaken, even one from whom men would hide their face. It is a picture of complete rejection.
___While it is easy to be critical of those who ignored him when he physically appeared in New Testament times, we also must remember that in our enlightened times he is still ignored.
___The unbelievable suffering of God's servant (53:4-6)
___The expressions of suffering in these verses are griefs, sorrows, wounded, bruised, smitten, chastisement, stripes. Most of them are preceeded by the word "our." In verse 4, the Old Testament concept of all punishment being the result of sin is advanced by stating his suffering was the result of his sins, when the truth is that his suffering was paying the price of our sins since the Messiah was sinless.
___The words "he" and "him" are used seven times in these verses. The depiction of Christ's punishment on the cross in verse 5 and the beating prior to his crucifixion are stark reminders of the terrible suffering, agony of pain and abandonment he suffered to purchase our pardon from sin.
___Few of us are aware of sheep habits, yet we are reminded in verse 6 that we are like sheep. A short attention span, following whoever seems to be a leader or going astray seem to be the way of sheep.
___Unfortunately, that also describes us; we choose to go our own way, unaware of the con-sequences of our actions. But in his great love, the Lord has provided the Great Shepherd who laid down his life for our salvation. Never forget that verse 6 reminds us that all of us go astray of our own will.
___The unbelievable silence and death of the servant (53:7-9)
___Is there anyone among us who enjoys suffering in silence? Not me! I prefer to declare my innocence loud and long. Isaiah describes the Servant in ways that seem to us strange. His description is of one who is oppressed and afflicted without saying a word. This word means "abused" or "tortured." The punishment was exceedingly cruel and barbarous, yet he did not respond to those inflicting punishment.
___He could have claimed "not guilty," but did not make any defense to his captors. His quiet submissiveness has been the marvel of the ages. No protest, complaint or murmur passed his lips, revealing the true spirit of the world's re-deemer.
___The author is certain, as indicated in verse 8, that his punishment and death were not because of his sin, but for the trangressions of "my people." Verse 9 could relate to the fact he is treated as a criminal, and we know Jesus was crucified between two thieves.
___We also know that his borrowed tomb was that of Joseph of Arimathea, perhaps the meaning of his being with a rich man in death. The passage closes with the statement that he had done no violence and was not guilty of deceit.
___The unbelievable reward of the servant (53:10-12)
___How could God be pleased to see his servant suffer and die? It is certainly true that mankind inflicted the wounds that caused the death of the Messiah.
___While the word "pleased" may seem out of place, the meaning is that God had decreed there is a penalty for disobedience and someone had to purchase pardon with the shedding of blood. Therefore, God was pleased the servant was willing to make that supreme sacrifice.
___And the Father is pleased when he looks beyond the person of his Son and sees all the redeemed ones of Earth receiving salvation. His life cut short by crucifixion, his blood purchase will enable him to see offspring and prolong his days, thus pleasing the Lord.
___In verse 11, we find indication that the sacrifice of the Servant will be seen. God will acknowledge the suffering of the Servant and accept the sacrifice of his life for the sins of his creation. In Hebrews 9:22, we read "without shedding of blood there is no for-giveness." The verse closes with the reaffirmation that many will be justified since the Servant bears their iniquities (sins).
___Verse 12 describes the distribution of the spoils of victory after the battle is won. The use of the word "poured" helps us to know the action of giving up his life was not forced upon him, but willingly given.
___This passage reaches its pinnacle in the statement of his intercession for transgressors. It is more than just a statement; it means intervening or putting himself in another's place. It is the same word as stated in verse 6 "and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." It is not just praying for transgressors, but taking the full impact of the punishment intended for them.
___We are to pray for transgressors but also go beyond prayer in becoming involved in helping them with their lives. That is possibly the reason why intercessory prayer is so rare. This kind of prayer is very costly.
___Conclusions
___Beyond a shadow of doubt, the passage of Scripture we have studied this week is one of the higher points of the Old Testament. In his ministry to a nation held captive in bondage far from their homeland, Isaiah painted for them a word picture of the great love of the God of the universe for all his creation.
___While he may have not answered their immediate needs, this passage paints a picture of the eternal love of a Father for all of his creation in all generations and his willingness to provide a Savior, his Son, in payment of the sins of all mankind. The prophet Isaiah describes the Creator's love and provision for victory over the ravages of sin and self, which Jesus put into words in that wonderful gospel within the gospel, John 3:16.
___This fourth "Servant Song" is a portrait of the love of the Father, portrayed by the promised Messiah, and leaves us completely convinced Jesus Christ is indeed the Servant described in all of these passages. Isaiah 53 can be read often to renew our joy in the Lord.
Questions for discussion
Can you identify with the possible feelings of those who originally heard the message of Isaiah? How would you respond to his statements?
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