AMAZING LOVE
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
No other passage sets out the heart of love of the Lord seen in the Suffering Servant, the Messiah – Jesus – more than this one. And all this some 700 years before Christ lived on earth.
The N.T. quotes more from Isaiah than all the other prophets combined, with an amazing 308 references in the various New Testament books. For example, John quotes Isaiah in chapter 12 of his gospel and then adds this commentary, “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him” (verse 41).
As a matter of fact, when one reads verses like these, it’s almost as though Isaiah was an eyewitness to the flogging and the crucifixion . . . that he was there. But understand that time-wise, Isaiah’s long ministry was roughly 700 years prior to that of Jesus. Seven centuries separate them. That’s like someone writing in the early 1300s about the events related to the terrorist attacks here on 9/11/01!
(- from David Mains’ sermon, Experience Pure Love)
A. The Summary of the Servant’s Suffering & Glory (52:13-15)
ISA 52:13 See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
The Servant’s wisdom was deeply self-denying, for it meant accepting ends determined by God, and willingly shouldering a burden of untold suffering to make them possible. Here God’s wisdom and human wisdom part company decisively. Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me,” and “The first will be last and the last first,” and “Love your enemies.” This is not conventional wisdom!
But because it is the Lord’s will, done in the Lord’s wisdom, it will prosper. The Servant will be greatly exalted--“raised, lifted up, exalted.” Doesn’t this echo the resurrection, ascension and reign of Christ?
1. Glory after humiliation (v. 13-14; cf Phil. 2:5-11).
The promise of glory is encouraging because of the suffering that comes first. [Refer to Phil. 2:5-11.] This is our pattern, too. Like Jesus, “who for the joy set before, endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2).
ISA 52:14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him--
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness--
[Read Psalm 22:6-8.] These words were spoken by Jesus on the cross: “I am a worm not a man.”
2. Cleansing & deliverance of “many nations” (=”sprinkle”)
ISA 52:15 so will he sprinkle many nations,
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.
Just as many were appalled at him, so many will be saved and cleansed by his suffering and death. They will be sprinkled clean through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. [cf. the Passover & I Peter 1:1-2]
B. The Realization of Salvation Through the Servant (53:1-6)
ISA 53:1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
The two astonishing events of 52:14-15--the suffering of God’s own wise Servant who deserved none of it, and the subsequent exaltation of one so dishonored by people--produces astonishment in many who hear the report of these things.
God’s way of doing things often does not seem to make sense to human beings
[Read and refer to 1Cor. 1:18-31.]
The arm of the Lord refers to His power to save His people. The Cross is where God’s power resides. The prophet cried out in 51:9 [Read]. And the Cross is the ultimate answer to the prophet’s prayer and the words of 52:10 [Read]. The Cross the power of God for salvation. Foolishness to the world, but the wisdom and power of God.
Question: Are the speakers in v.1 Gentiles or Israelites? The Servant’s work was to reach the nations (cf. 42:6; 49:6), and in the context it would seem natural that the nations and kings (52:15), at first struck dumb by the astounding revelation, should then speak in response to it. But why do we have to choose? Both the Gentiles and his own people rejected him; and both began to believe after the resurrection.
1. At first “despised & rejected” by the world & his own people (v. 1-3).
ISA 53:2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
ISA 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Verse 2 echoes and contrasts with 4:2 [Read].
The whole verse suggests that the Servant would be confronted with difficult conditions from his youth. In fact, Jesus could not be explained in terms of his human environment, which in his day was dominated by a legalistic Judaism. There was so little of the refreshing water of God’s word, truly understood and applied.
Verse 2b implies that his true beauty of character was hidden from people because they looked at him entirely from a human standpoint. He was no King; no millionaire; no beautiful celebrity! He wasn’t even a college educated TV personality like Dr. Phil! He was just a simple preacher from a backwoods little town.
The principle that human appearance is irrelevant to God’s choice is more radically applied here than in the choice of David (cf. 1Sa 16:5-13). God truly looks on the heart—remember that!
2. But never by the Lord (v.2, “before him”).
People rejected the Christ, but God was always watching over him, loving him. He is always watching over and loving you, too.
In v.3 the onlookers move from failure to desire the Servant to despising and rejecting him, even refusing to look at him.
3. The role of the Servant as our Substitute is finally recognized (v. 4-6).
Here is conversion. The witnesses put aside their initial judgment on the matter and accept that the sufferings of the Servant are not only for sin, but are also substitutionary—for our sin!
a. Not his sin, but ours, took him to the cross.
ISA 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
It was not for any sin of his that Jesus’ died; God was not punishing him for anything he had done. Plain and simply, He did not deserve death. He and only He!
The words translated "sorrows" and "suffering" really mean "pains" and "sickness." The phrase looks forward to Christ’s healing ministry. Matthew in 8:17 of his Gospel quotes this passage, understanding the words as “infirmities and diseases.”
Jesus knew and saw firsthand the results of sin in our world, in sickness of body, mind and spirit; and as the Great Physician would bring wholeness and healing to us. He still does!
b. “By his wounds we are healed” (v.5)
ISA 53:5 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.
ISA 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” was how Paul put it in 2 Cor. 5:21.
Verse 6 probably derives its language and imagery from the Day of Atonement ritual (cf. Lev 16:21-22). There God, the Author of the ritual, had the high priest act as his agent to transfer the sins of the people symbolically to the scapegoat by the laying of hands onto the scapegoat. Then the scapegoat was driven out into the desert to die; even as Christ, the Lamb of God, was crucified outside the city.
C. The Silent Submission of the Righteous Servant (53:7-9)
Here is the description of the Messiah’s death, so completely fulfilled by Jesus.
1. As in all his life, in his death he willingly submitted to the Father (v.7)
ISA 53:7 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 shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
Some unbelieving scholars have stated Jesus must have gone insane at this point, because if he had only argued his case, he would likely have been spared death. After all, Pilate was looking desperately for a way to let him go.
But of course, that is the point—Christ willingly gave up his life as the Father had planned. [Read John 10:17-18].
2. An individual – the Servant – dies “for the transgression of my people.” (v.8)
ISA 53:8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
ISA 53:9 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.
The trial of Jesus was a mockery of justice; it was “oppression.”
He was unmarried; no descendants for his posterity.
He truly died.
His assigned grave was to have been with the two thieves with whom he was crucified. But a rich Pharisee and secret follower petitioned Pilate for the body to bury him in his own tomb. An incredible, exact fulfillment of prophecy 700 years after it was made!
And if there is still any question of “the Servant” being understood as the people of God (as it was put sometimes earlier in chp. 40-51; and as many Jews would interpret chp. 53 today), verse 8 settles the question. If the people died for the people, there would be no more people. It is the singular “servant” who dies for the transgression of the people, so the people do not have to die.
D. The Fulfillment of God’s Purpose through the Servant (5:10-12)
1.The Suffering, Death & Resurrection of Messiah Jesus. (v. 10-11).
ISA 53:10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
ISA 53:11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Verse 10-11 point to the Resurrection. It is clearly suggested by words "prolong his days" (v.10), and with the contrast of "suffering" and "light," in v. 11. In fact, the words "he will see his offspring and prolong his days" seem to stand in intended contrast with the second and third lines of v.8. There is a parallel here with Ps 22, where the sufferer, now vindicated, declares, "Posterity will serve him" (Ps 22:30).
2. A guilt offering for sin that justifies and saves “many” who come to “know” him personally (v.11).
Read this verse carefully.
ISA 53:11b …by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
The Hebrew poetic parallelism shows that “bearing our iniquities” is how the servant justifies. It is not “by knowing about the servant” we are justified. That is, we are saved by redemptive suffering, not simply by revelation. It is the experiential knowledge of faith that is in view. We are saved by KNOWING and trusting Christ. Here we have an important background for Paul’s doctrine of justification through Christ’s blood, appropriated by faith.
Christ was righteous and innocent of sin. That is the basis for his substitution. We can be justified, declared “no longer guilty, punishment paid in full”—which is a new position before God, the righteous Judge—only on the basis of what the Servant has achieved in his sufferings, not of what we have ourselves done or will do.
3. The greatest of the “great ones”, who “intercedes” for his “offspring”, and will come again as undisputed monarch of this world.
ISA 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
The opening of v.12 shows God honoring the Servant for his faithful work and the Servant in turn distributing the spoils of battle to others. Christ’s work is presented as a victory over spiritual foes, resulting in a distribution of spoils to those made strong in him. This is the imagery Paul uses in Eph. 4 & 6 (cf. Eph 4:8; 6:10-17); Christ the victor grants salvation and spiritual gifts to his people. And Matthew 19:28-30 declares that Jesus the great King, when he returns to reign “at the renewal of all things,” will even grant to his faithful followers a right to share in that reign. Jesus shall come again!
Verse 12 sums up it all up. The Servant was numbered with the transgressors, not only in the outward circumstances of his death, but as a general description of the meaning of his sufferings (Lk 22:37). Innocent, he was charged with human sins and so bore their penalty. Beyond this, he has an intercessory ministry, based on the finality of his sufferings. Even after his resurrection, his complete vindication by God, he is still concerned to minister to his people. He intercedes for you and me at the Father’s right hand (Heb. 7:25).
E. My Response
Isaiah 53 raises the question, “Why?” What was it that caused the Christ to take it all? What was it that enabled Jesus to resist any temptation to respond in any sort of “get-even” way?
For centuries, theologians have filled volumes attempting to explain the passion of Jesus Christ, with intellectually sounding statements and multi-syllabic words. Yet, the passion of Christ, the events of Isaiah 53 and the final twelve hours of Christ’s life come down to one simple word: love! The simple witness of John 3:16 still stands as the most powerful explanation behind the passion of Jesus. It was because of love. As translated by Eugene Peterson in “The Message”:
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one needs be destroyed by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”
How else can you describe that type of love if not outrageous? It defies human explanation. It is irrational. Yet, that’s the beauty! It is so beyond the boundaries of what might be expected. It is the love of God.
Listen. No matter who you are, where you have come from or what you have done, God considers you worth loving. You are not a product of a happen-chance encounter between two other human beings. You are not a number who is lost in the massiveness of this world. You are significant to God. You count! And nothing in all of God’s entire creation will ever cause God to quit loving you….nothing!
Again, recall the scenes in the film “The Passion.” Which of the individuals portrayed in the film would you be tempted to consider, “not worth loving”? Go ahead and pick one. Which character is worth writing off?
Judas, who betrayed Jesus?
The soldiers, who abused Jesus?
The crowds, who taunted Jesus?
Or, Barabbas who “walked”?
From my vantage point, I could see plenty who were not worth loving! Yet, Jesus considered every one of them worth loving. That’s how God responds to everyone. He looks at you with a face that is strong yet compassionate and says, “You are worth loving to me!” (- from Dr. Chuck Moore’s sermon, Pure (Outrageous) Love)
God really wants a relationship with you. God’s loving desire for you is not that you believe in religion. He doesn’t want you to know about Him, but to know Him personally, in love. He wants a personal, connective relationship with you in which He calls you His friend.
The only way to establish that relationship—to give Jesus permission to come into your life—is to give him permission! Through prayer.
You might pray humbly and sincerely something like this:
“Jesus, I’m so sorry for my part in what put you on the cross. Forgive me for not living the way you taught, for not loving God as I should, and for so often treating others badly. I want to change and I want to be forgiven. Please enter me by your Spirit and empower me to be the person you intended. Thank you for dying in my place, for rising from the dead, for hearing my prayer and granting my request. Amen”
A prayer such as this is what gives Jesus permission to do for you what he’s done for millions down through the centuries. He will pour His love into you, leaving you convinced he has heard what you asked and acted accordingly. A supernatural transformation begins, and what happened at Calvary becomes incredibly personal to you.
Don’t wait; do it now, today. And know right now, the amazing love of God, in the person of Jesus Christ.
