Isaiah 52:13-53:12, The Man of Sorrows

Why did Isa. 40:1-2 say it was time to comfort Israel?  It was because her iniquity is pardoned.  What was the reason for all the urgency in Isa. 51-52?  It’s because we have finally arrived at 52:13-53:12.  We have arrived at that part of the story where Israel’s iniquity is pardoned.  It’s the last of the four Servant Songs of Isaiah, the one that speaks of the Man of sorrows who was (will be) “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities,” the One who was “numbered with the transgressors” (53:3,5,12).  Because of the atoning sacrifice of God’s Son, God can speak strong words of hope to Israel.  Israel will not and cannot be the saved nation that loves and serves God faithfully without Christ’s sacrifice.

Stop and think about Revelation 4-5.  Do you remember how John was so concerned (he wept about it, Rev. 5:4) because no one could be found to open the scroll that contained the completion of history?  But then the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Lamb that was slain, He took the book and opened it (Rev. 5:5-7).

Do you remember Isaiah’s prophecy of the Man in the bloody robe who comes out of Edom?  Who was He?  “I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”  And why was His robe red?  “I have trodden them (the “peoples” or nations) in my anger … I looked, but there was no one to help … Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me” (Isa. 63:1-6). 

When Israel confessed their sin (Isa. 59:9-15) the LORD was displeased “that there was no justice … and wondered that there was no intercessor (for Israel); therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him, and His own righteousness it sustained Him (Isa. 59:15-16).  No man was found who could provide atonement for Israel; so God became a Man and did it Himself!

As you read on past Ch. 53 in Isaiah you continue to see this excitement.  I want to just remind you of some “exciting” results of Isa. 53.

·       God speaks in Isa. 54 with certainty about the “covenant of peace” (i.e. the New Covenant), built on Christ’s sacrifice by which God no more remembers our sin.

·       Ch. 55 begins “Ho!” (i.e. stop what you’re doing), “come to the waters,” and “seek the LORD while He may be found” (55:1,6).  This invitation is based on Christ’s work, without which there is no freedom to come to God.

·       Isa. 55:8-9 says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways … So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  No man, no scholar, no philosopher and certainly no “god” would have a plan like God’s, one that satisfies righteousness and satisfies man’s need.

·       God says in Isa. 55:11 that His word will not return void but will accomplish all He desires.  What word is that?  The word of Isa. 53!

·       Isa. 56:1-8 promises hope to the nations!  The temple, the house of the LORD, “shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.  They will have a “place and a name better than that of sons and daughters.”  Hallelujah! What a Savior!  “Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near” (Isa. 57:19; Paul sees this as referring to Gentiles/Nations and Israel (Eph. 2:17).

Jesus, Messiah, Mighty to Save!  Let us rejoice today and always hope in our great Savior.