Introduction: Isaiah the prophet had incredible insight; actually, the Holy Ghost inspired his writings. The fifty-third chapter of this mini Bible (66 chapters) is quite a revelation of the coming of the Messiah. Remember, Israel felt hopeless because of God’s impending judgment upon the nations as well as His chastisement on Israel. Yet, like a bright light in a dark night, this prophecy shines through the gloom and doom.
Check it out, and know this – God is in control! That means we can TRUST Him!!
1. The Messiah’s Miraculous Birth! (Isaiah 53:1-2) – “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”
Jesus’ birth is marked with poverty. But His life is marked with hostility as He came to His own, but His own received Him not; instead, they rejected Him according to the evangelist John. Yet, He was about His Father’s business. Are you?
2. The Messiah’s Incredible Sinless Life! (Isaiah 53:3) – “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
Jesus was accused of being a wine bibber—a friend of sinners! The religious crowd even made accusations against Him for being born of fornication. Ultimately, since He was a threat to the Jewish authorities including the mighty Roman Empire, He was eventually crucified, but it was all in God’s plan!
3. The Messiah’s Sacrificial Death! (Isaiah 53:4-5) – “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Paul tells us through his epistle to the Corinthians that Jesus actually became “sin for us who knew no sin” so that we might be made “the righteous of God in Him.” In other words, He imputes His righteousness on everyone who trusts in Him; thus, both justifying and reconciling the guilty sinner.
4. The Messiah’s Prophetic Fulfillment to Bring Man Back to God! (Isaiah 53:10-11) – “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. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”
Imagine the righteous demands of a thrice holy God being satisfied—appeased—in the redeeming blood of His Son. In so doing, He declares sinful man no longer guilty or condemned because of the pure and perfect offering of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: Since our God has made provisions for sin and death on behalf of all mankind through the sacrifice of His Son, there is HOPE! Jesus, the Messiah, has conquered sin and death and lives forevermore. That means as we put our faith and trust in Him, there is not only life beyond the grave but HOPE in this life as well through Jesus, Messiah!
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese
