SERMON OUTLINE:
A Surprising Saviour (52:13-15)
A Rejected Saviour (53:1-3)
A Representative Saviour (53:4-6)
A Suffering Saviour (53:7-9)
A Sovereign Saviour (53:10-12)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Now if I were to ask you to give me some of the names and titles of Jesus,
• What immediately comes to mind?
• Don’t be shy,
• You have about 200 names and titles to choose from!
• Here are a few:
• i.e. Jesus/Saviour, Christ/Messiah, Lord,
• i.e. Jesus the Nazarene, Chief Cornerstone, Head of the Church, Light of the World,
• i.e. Firstborn over all creation, Word of God, Holy One, Judge,
• i.e. King of kings and Lord of lords, Beginning and End…
• Your homework is to find the other 185!
• TRANSITION: Whenever you ask people to call out names for Jesus,
• One name/title that often gets overlooked is ‘Man of sorrows.
• And that is a title or name given here in Isaiah chapter 53.
• Jesus was given that title by Isaiah the prophet;
• Some 700 years before his incarnation and birth into the world.
Ill:
• The word ‘sorrows’ means:
• ‘Distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.; grief, sadness, or regret.
• a cause or occasion of grief or regret, as an affliction, a misfortune, or trouble’
ill:
• The Hebrew phrase (’ish makh’ovot) translated into English:
• Literally means, “man of pains,”:
• And refers to both physical and emotional suffering.
• God’s Servant who we know as Jesus Christ would not be immune from difficulties.
• In fact, he would be “acquainted with deepest grief.”
As you read the gospels that will become evident again and again:
• Sorrow was a word you could write over the life of Jesus:
• He faced hardships, he faced opposition, he faced ridicule, he faced unbelief,
• And not just from his enemies, but also from his family, friends!
• He was “acquainted with deepest grief.”
• It is ironic that:
• The one who said he was and is the source of lasting joy and life,
• Experienced for himself sorrow and hardship. Both physical and emotional.
Note:
• Isaiah chapter 53 is very much a picture of someone suffering,
• But more than that, suffering by being crucified.
• Quote: A couple of German scholars writing in 1866 said,
• “It looks as if it had been written beneath the cross of Golgotha.
• What makes this chapter unique is this;
• Crucifixion would not be known in this part of the world for another 700 years.
• It was the invasion of the Roman army, that brought crucifixion to Israel.
• Yet Isaiah looks through the lens of prophecy;
• And describes for us the crucifixion scene of the New Testament.
• Isaiah 53 is quoted or referred to at least 85 times in the New Testament.
• The writers make it perfectly clear that this chapter is about the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
(1). A Surprising Saviour (52:13-15):
“See, my servant will act wisely;[b]
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him[c] –
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being
and his form marred beyond human likeness –
15 so he will sprinkle many nations,[d]
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.”
In chapter 52 verses 13: God the Father calls his Son the Messiah/Christ “His servant”.
“See, my servant will act wisely;[b]
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.”
• In ancient times servants and slaves were regarded as living tools:
• You used them, you wore them out and then you replaced them.
• But this servant will not be replaced, in fact the opposite, he will be honoured.
• God himself says that he will greatly honour him.
• In fact, this servant will have a glory like God's own glory!
• Isaiah has already used that word, ‘exalted’ to describe God the Father,
• (Chapter 6 verse 1, chapter 5 verse 16, chapter 6 verse 5).
• Now he uses it in connection with the Son.
Question: What is the job of a servant?
Answer: Is simple, to obey, to serve!
Ill:
• Twice in the life of Jesus, heaven was torn open, and God spoke:
• (Matthew chapter 3 verse 17 & Matthew chapter 17 verse 5):
“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”
“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’”
• Jesus Christ was both the Son and the Servant,
• Obedient and humble and now exalted and glorified.
(2). A Rejected Saviour (53:1-3):
“Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
• Isaiah tells us that his pedigree, his ancestral line was nothing special:
• After all, why should it, humanly speaking, "He was only a servant!"
• By the words “tender shoot” or "tender plant".
• Literally means "a little bush", one that is very unimpressive.
• In other words, Christ would not appear as a great tree, but a humble bush.
• Not a great conquering king but a humble servant.
• His ministry and death are marked by suffering, rather than power;
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
• That verse reminds us that there was nothing special in physical appearance of Jesus,
• No blond hair and blue eyes, no Hollywood good looks.
• Just a typical average looking Jewish man
“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him”
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”
Ill:
• George Campbell Morgan D.D. (9 December 1863 – 16 May 1945);
• Was a British evangelist, preacher and a leading Bible scholar.
• He was also twice the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London.
• If you read his books, even today they are acknowledged as quality works;
• They will if you take time to read them - bless ‘your socks off’.
• Although today we recognise him as a top Bible scholar;
• It wasn’t always that way.
• He was ordained to the Congregational ministry in 1890.
• Not only did he have to pass doctrinal examinations,
• But he also had to preach trial sermons.
• These trail sermons were not done in small chapels hidden away in the countryside;
• But in cavernous auditorium that could seat more than 1,000 people,
• Sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen.
• When Morgan stepped into the pulpit,
• The vast room and the searching, critical eyes caused him to preach poorly.
• Two weeks later a list was published;
• Among the 105 REJECTED for the ministry that year was G. Campbell Morgan.
• Jill Morgan, his daughter-in-law, wrote in her book, A MAN OF THE WORD,
• “He wired to his father the one word, ‘Rejected,’
• And sat down to write in his diary:
• ‘Very dark everything seems. Still, He knoweth best.
• ’ Quickly came the reply: ‘Rejected on earth. Accepted in heaven. Dad.’”
• TRANSITION: Rejected on earth. Accepted in heaven.
• Are words that apply to this servant.
Note: The threefold rejection that Isaiah mentions:
• (1). They rejected his words, "our message" (vs 1).
• (2). His works, "the arm of the Lord" (vs 1).
• (3). His person "he was rejected by men"(vs 2).
• (1). They rejected His words, "our message" (vs 1).
• He spoke with authority – but they would not listen to him (Luke chapter 4 verse 31).
• (2). His works, "the arm of the Lord" (vs 1).
• ‘…believe on my works’ – (John chapter 10 verse 25)
• There was no other explanation for what he did!
• (3). His person "he was rejected by men"(vs 2).
• Declared innocent again and again and again by Pilot at his trial;
• Yet still he was condemned!
(3). A Representative Saviour (53:4-6):
Ill:
• Years ago, an evangelist named Ebenezer Wooten;
• Had just concluded an open-air preaching service in the village square.
• The crowd had dispersed,
• And he was left on his own packing away his equipment.
• A young man approached him and asked, “Mr. Wooten, what must I do to be saved?”
• Wooten answered in a rather unconcerned way, “It’s too late!”
• The inquirer was startled. “Oh, don’t say that, sir!”
• But the evangelist insisted, “It’s too late!”
• Then, looking the young man in the eye, he continued,
• “You want to know what you must DO to be saved.
• I tell you it’s too late now or any other time.
• The work of salvation is done, completed, finished!
• It was finished on the cross.”
• Then he explained that our part is simply to acknowledge our sin in repentance;
• And receive by faith the gift of God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness.
Isaiah describes for us how you and I are made right with God:
• In verse 4 we see Christ the perfect, sinless one;
• Represented the imperfect, sinful human race.
• He took, he carried, he bore that which was not his own – our sins!
"Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed".
• How wrong people were about God's Son - and themselves:
• They thought there was something wrong with him:
• That he had done something shameful & detestable to deserve God's judgement.
• But Isaiah makes it very clear that it is the other way around
• He carried "OUR grief's." "OUR sorrows." “OUR transgressions.” “OUR iniquities;”
• All his sufferings are on our behalf not his.
Notice Isaiah informs us of two truths (vs 6):
• That we are sinners by birth ("All we like sheep have gone astray")
• And we are sinners by choice ("we have turned everyone to his own way").
• We are sinners by nature and sinners by choice!
• Verse 6 begins with the "all" of condemnation,
• “all, like sheep, have gone astray”
• But ends with the "all" of salvation.
• “and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
(4). A Suffering Saviour (53:7-9):
“He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression[a] and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.[b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.”
These verses show us even more about this marvellous redemption:
• Jesus the innocent one not only bore the sins of the undeserving.
• But he did so without protest or defence.
HE WAS SILENT (VS 7):
"He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her Shearer’s is silent,
so he did not open his mouth."
• God's servant was not treated justly; he was not treated fairly.
• We know that his trials were rigged and the whole thing was totally illegal.
• Yet throughout his arrest and trials, even though he was oppressed, harassed,
• Yet He was silent and meek as a lamb going to the slaughter.
(2). HE WAS INNOCENT (VS 8A):
"By oppression and judgment he was taken away".
• God's servant was not permitted to have justice.
• No-one, not a single person spoke up for him!
• Barabbas the criminal was treated with more kindness than was Jesus the Son of God.
• Verse 8 tells us he was "cut off" like an unclean leper is cast out of the city.
• So Jesus would be discarded and his death would not a glorious one;
HE WAS DIFFERENT (VS 8B TO 9):
“For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth”.
Different in two ways:
• First his death: which was different because it was vicarious:
• His death was different because achieved something no other death could achieve,
• Forgiveness: "For the transgression of my people he was stricken!
• Second in his burial:
• Since Jesus Christ was crucified WITH criminals AS a criminal:
• It was logical that his body be deposed off LIKE a criminal.
• The Romans disposed of crucified victims by throwing them unburied on a rubbish heap,
• And allowing the vultures, crows & dogs to feed upon them.
• But not this way for Jesus…
• To fulfil prophecy:
• Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man stepped in,
• And fulfilled this verse of the prophecy.
• Christ died with both the wicked i.e. criminals.
• And with the rich, i.e. in the tomb of a wealthy man.
(5). A Sovereign Saviour (53:10-12):
“Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge[f] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,]
and he will divide the spoils with the strong]
because 12: “ ,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors”
• In these verses notice that the tormentors have faded away.
• Now it is the Lord and his servant hat dominate.
• God is in control, having reconciled the world to himself.
• Quote: “Men may seem to win the battle, but God will always win the war!”
• These verses in chapter 53 show us the God’s perspective of the cross:
• All of this was planned by God and his plan was a complete success.
WE ARE TOLD THREE THINGS REGARDING GOD THE FATHER:
• FIRST: We see the Father’s approval:
• The Messiah’s death "pleased the Lord." or "was the Lord's will":
• Obviously, this does not mean;
• That the Father rejoiced in His Son's suffering and death.
• But it pleased Him to see the work of salvation completed,
• SECOND: We see the Father’s approval power:
• Christ's reward for obeying the father's will:
• Was that he that he was raised from the dead: "He shall prolong His days".
• ill: The resurrection is a receipt to the world that something was paid for on the cross!
• A receipt is proof of purchase.
• THIRD: We see the Father’s gifts:
• He has been given a family. NIV: "He shall see His offspring" or KJB: "seed".
• This verse was fulfilled by Christ.
• I like the way the writer in the book of Hebrews (chapter 2 verse 13) puts it:
• Quote: And again, he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."
Ill:
• I hope you realise that you get a mention there in verse 10!
• These are people whom He has justified, declared righteous through his grace.
• And that includes me, and it also includes you if you have trusted Christ for salvation!
Ill:
• J. Sidlow Baxter (1903 to 1999) was a pastor and theologian, and evangelist.
• He authored as many as thirty books and was a great preacher.
• He had a fantastic grasp of the English language.
• If you listen to any of his preaching (I have a number of his recorded talks);
• Every so often he would pause in his preaching and say;
• “Excuse me, but hallelujah!”
In Conclusion:
• Isiah chapter 53 is a picture of the cross, viewed from 2 viewpoints:
• From God’s perspective and from a human perspective.
Ill:
• Whenever you see an artist’s impression of the cross,
• It normally views the cross from the ground up.
• In 1951 artist Salvador Dalí painted it differently,
• In his picture ‘Christ of Saint John of the Cross’
• His painting looks down frown the air and pictures the cross from another perspective.
• If you look closely at Dali’s painting;
• You will see that it is devoid of nails, blood, and a crown of thorns,
• Because, according to Dalí, he was convinced by a dream;
• That these features would mar his depiction of Christ.
• Yet as believers these are the very things that add
• Isaac watts wrote in his hymn:
“See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?”
Isaiah chapter 53 is a picture of the cross, viewed from two viewpoints:
• (1). From Mankind's perspective.
• (2). God's perspective.
• Isaiah brings to our attention;
• Seven things that happened to Jesus from Mankind's perspective.
• Seven things that happened to Jesus from God's perspective.
(1). Mankind / a human point of view.
• Notice as you read the chapter,
• That the seven things he bore, our all "Ours".
• (1st). Verse 4: "Surely he took up OUR infirmities".
• (2nd). Verse 4: "And carried OUR sorrows".
• (3rd). Verse 5: "But he was pierced for OUR transgressions".
• (4th). Verse 5: "He was crushed for OUR iniquities".
• (5th). Verse 5: "The punishment that brought US peace was upon him".
• (6th). Verse 5: "And by his wounds are WE healed".
• (7th). Verse 6: "And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of US all".
(2). the cross viewed from God's viewpoint:
• Again, there are seven aspects;
• And again, notice he is punished on behalf of others,
• And NOT for himself.
• (1st). Verse 8: "For the transgression of MY people he was stricken".
• (2nd). Verse 10: "The LORD makes his life a guilt offering".
• (3rd). Verse 11: "By his knowledge MY righteous servant will justify many".
• (4th). Verse 11: "And he will bear THEIR iniquities".
• (5th). Verse 12: "I will give him.... because he was numbered with the transgressors".
• (6th). Verse 12: "For he bore the sin of many".
• (7th). Verse 13: "And made intercession for the transgressors".
TRANSITION:
• So, Isaiah chapter 53 is a picture of the sufferings and the cross of Jesus,
• Viewed from two perspectives:
• From Mankind's viewpoint, God's perspective.
• And central verse between those two sets of seven;
• In that verse are given another name for Jesus:
• Verse 7: Jesus is the Lamb of God.
“he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.”
Ill:
• In 1851 a clergyman named Matthew Bridges;
• Wrote a few verses that later became the much-loved hymn;
• Crown Him with Many Crowns.
• In 1874 Godfrey Thring added more verses.
• The hymn we sing today is a combination of verses by both men.
• The hymn surveys the life, death and resurrection of the Lord.
• The last verse, which looks to the future when Christ will reign over all the earth,
• Sums up the triumphant final stanza of Isaiah 53.
“Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.”
• What a Servant, Messiah/Christ!
• What a salvation!
• Glory to his name forever!
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=ESBnUq0BLF8BVy6Wun0vH7FbSj32GiSO
