Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53, is an incredible prediction from the prophet Isaiah about the coming of suffering servant of the Jewish people. Many Jews say that this passage is referencing the nation of Israel. It’s very clear that it is speaking of a man, especially Isaiah 53:5. The important thing to remember is that this verse was written 750 years before Christ. Those of you who are not familiar with the four Gospels or how Jesus’ capture and crucifixion went down, will not be able to grasp how compelling this verse is. Every single verse is speaking about Jesus!!
In addition, it is important to note for those of you wondering when Jesus was killed or if the date had any significance. Many self proclaimed Christians and Jews don’t even realize when he died. Jesus was killed on the passover. This is amazing because it is probably the single most important day he could have been killed on because it signified he was the unblemished (sin free) sacrificial lamb for forgiveness of sins. Any other day would not have worked. How can anyone plan this? Impossible!!
Many Jews also believe that their messiah would bring world peace. Realize it makes no mention of political peace. Jesus said he would bring us ALL inner peace forever through him. With all the political strife in the world these words ring true to me more now than ever. As a believer in Christ, I have to place my trust in him and place the cares of the world on him. Christ even asks us to do this in his word.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)
ISAIAH 53:
Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 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.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.