The Suffering & Death Of God's Servant

“The Suffering & Death Of God’s Servant ”

Isaiah 53:5-10

The heart of Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 53 is the reality that God’s Servant would suffer and die. One day a remnant will acknowledge the truth about Him. On that day many will comprehend the truths that we confess today, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Though we are those who have gone astray, the LORD placed our iniquity on Him. Jesus Christ is the sinless Substitute for our sins!

—Thomas O. Chisholm wrote:

He was wounded for our transgressions,

He bore our sins in His body on the tree;

For our guilt He gave us peace,

From our bondage gave release,

And with His stripes, our souls are healed.

He was numbered among transgressors,

We did esteem Him forsaken by His God;

As our sacrifice He died, That the law be satisfied,

And all our sin was laid on Him.

We had wandered, we all had wandered,

Far from the fold of “the Shepherd of the sheep”;

But He sought us where we were,

On the mountains bleak and bare,

And brought us home, and brought us home,

And brought us safely home to God.

Imagine the scene, the Sinless Son of God hangs on a cross, spikes driven through His hands and feet. Blood pours from His brow where a cruel crown of thorns has been placed, the flesh on His back hangs like ribbons from the awful scourging He has endured. For hours He hangs there in indescribable agony suffering for the sins of the world. At noon the earth becomes as dark as midnight, the separation that Jesus experiences at this point is far more excruciating than the physical pain He has faced thus far. In great anguish He cries "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" His suffering continues for a while longer and when all things are accomplished He says "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' His work on earth is complete, He declares "It is finished". The precious Lamb of God breaths His last breath. Jesus dies! Then, an earthquake rumbles across the earth. The veil of the Temple rips into. The enemies of Christ rejoice, Satan is filled with delight, and a few faithful followers weep and mourn. However, this was not the end; Three days later, Jesus would rise from the grave!

Though we rejoice in the hope that the Resurrection brings, we must never forget the agony of the Cross. I want us to take some time and examine “The Suffering & Death Of God’s Servant”.

It is amazing how quickly things changed during the week of our Lord's Passion. On Sunday Jesus made His Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Large crowds gathered and spread their clothes in the way before Him. Many people worshipped Him and some waved palm branches and cried "Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"

On Monday, Jesus entered the Temple courts in Jerusalem and turned over tables and cast out the moneychangers. That evening He left the city and spent the night in the town of Bethany.

When Tuesday arrived our Lord delivered the Olivet Discourse. He spoke to His Disciples about the coming persecution, Tribulation and other subjects concerning the end times.

The Gospels are silent concerning the Wednesday of Passion Week, but it is safe to assume that Satan was working overtime behind the scenes.

On Thursday, Jesus and the Disciples observed the Passover meal. After this meal, our Lord took on the form of a slave and girded Himself with a towel and washed the feet of His Disciples. Later they began their journey to the Garden of Gethsemane. Once there Jesus "became very heavy" and began to pray in great agony. After this time of prayer, Judas arrived with a band of soldiers and betrays Jesus with a kiss. Following this, Jesus was arrested and taken to be questioned by Annas and then He was sent to the palace of the High Priest, Caiaphas.

Now it is Friday of Passion Week, a day we often refer to as "Good Friday". This was the day that the prophets had spoken of. This was the day that Jesus had taught about. This was the day that God had planned before the foundation of the world. This is the day that the Lamb would be slain. This is the day that His blood would be shed. This is the day that the price of our redemption would be paid. This is the day that our salvation would be secured.