In my youth, when seeking advice from Peter Craig for a passage to use for a Lord’s Supper talk, he directed me to Isaiah 53. I was daunted and perplexed as I read the things that Isaiah had prophesied about Jesus 600 years before Jesus was born. Since then I have tried to get my head around its beauty and unity. I will do my best to consider what one of Isaiah’s readers may have thought as he considered what the verses of what we call Isaiah 53. He will have first noted the expected Messiah’s humble and precarious beginnings. That he would enjoy no exceptional good looks to stand out as special (v.2). People were going to disrespect him, despise him, and recoil at his message (v.3). Though carrying the people’s weaknesses and sorrows they will consider it a punishment for his sins (v.4). He would be pieced, crushed, beaten and whipped for their sins (v.5). He would carry the sins for the wilful and lost people (v.6). He would be the sacrificial lamb. Passive before his abusers and murderers (v.7). Innocent, but condemned. Killed in his prime (v.8). Though sinless, he will be killed like a common criminal, but be buried in a rich man’s tomb (v.9). The will of the Lord would oversee his suffering, the sacrificing of himself for sin, his spiritual offspring, and his eternal joy and prosperity (v.10). Suffering will be followed by the satisfaction of his accomplishment—God’s righteous servant will have borne the sins of all (v.11). The voluntary gift of his victorious life and death will be rewarded with gifts and honour. Though he would be counted as a rebellious sinner, he will take on people’s sins and intercede for sinners (v.12). Every line, without contradiction, speaks of Jesus Christ—Saviour! Don’t take my word for it, it awaits your careful reading. God bless.
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