The Suffering Servant
Today’s Verse:
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. ~Isaiah 53:9-10
Isa. 53 is the prophecy of our Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection for our sins. It is the gospel narrative in one chapter. It is called the chapter of the “suffering servant.” The entire gospel message is contained in this chapter with a vivid description of the Lord’s sufferings. It is a striking chapter that makes the reader pause and consider the humiliation and horror our Lord endured by becoming a man to die for our sins. This morning, let us go back to Calvary and consider our Lord’s sufferings.
The suffering servant was immaculately RIGHTEOUS.
“Because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” Our Lord was completely holy, innocent, and sinless as He walked in the body of a man. He took on the form of a servant man, but had no sin in His life. Nothing vile, wicked, sinful, or careless ever came forth out of the Lord Jesus. His speech was righteous, and His interactions with people were guiltless. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin! He was what the Apostle John called full of grace and truth. Truly it can be said without controversy Jesus was immaculately righteous.
The suffering servant was the indemnification for our REDEMPTION.
“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.” He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed. He was cut off from the land of the living. He endured grief and contradiction of sinners. Notice He became the one and only offering for sin. He was the lamb for sinners slain. He paid the sin debt in full through the offering of His body. The Lord Jesus was the indemnification for our redemption.
The suffering servant was incontestable in His RESURRECTION.
“And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death… he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb. Joseph of Arimathea took ownership of the body and had it placed in his own unused tomb. Yet, three days and nights later He rose from the dead! Our Savior is not dead, but alive! He arose out of the tomb by His own power, victorious over death! Death could not hold its prey! He lives!
The suffering servant was impeccable in his RESPONSIBILITY.
“Yet it pleased the Lord…” Jesus, in His suffering, shed blood, and death satisfied all the righteous demands of God the Father for sin. No more sacrifices would be necessary for sin. The veil in the temple was rent in two, signifying that every sinner has entrance into the holiest through the blood of Christ. Jesus paid it all!
The suffering servant is inviting in His REACH.
The gospel message is still inviting sinners to come to Him and be saved! Every sinner who comes to Jesus can be saved today.
The suffering servant humbled Himself to die for our sins. If you are saved, thank the Lord for all He has done for you. If you are thinking about being saved, today can be your day of salvation. Call on Jesus to save you this morning!
Have a paid-in-full God Morning!