[Transcripts may not match broadcasted sermon word for word, and may contain extra material that was cut from the broadcast due to time constraints]

       Let us turn in our Bibles, or tap, to Isaiah chapter 53. Isaiah chapter 53. Our study carries further today as we continue to dive into this passage of Scripture from the recesses of our Old Testament, and we understand that it is particularly insightful. In fact, we certainly aren’t even going to cover everything that could be said. Nevertheless, we will try to gain some insight anyway into what God laid out through his prophet of old, namely as pertains to the Lord Jesus Christ’s journeying on the earth.

       Too, we will realize relatively quickly that much of what this text references is elementary and yet foundational for the Christian. Displayed before our eyes our doctrines which should seem familiar to us—to those of us who have been saved for a while now. We can draw back out these things basic truths, and bring them to the forefront in thinking about Christ. Hopefully this will be accomplished, and perhaps, something new will be learned, something which has never even crossed our minds. That’s the beauty of Scripture. No matter how many times we’ve read a passage, going back again and again we can learn something new.

       Picking up where we left off last time. Isaiah chapter 53, starting in verse 4: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (ESV).

       In our beginning we are presented with a summary, which is a simple understanding of what Jesus has done for us, as people. We can recall that Jesus said in the Beatitudes that the mourning person should be happy. One way to look at that is to say that the person who mourns over sin—both his or her own sin and how sin has affected the world—will be sorrowful. To look at it from another angle, and perhaps this is more of the focus to what the writer is talking about, is understanding this text in view of the fact that Jesus can relate to any grief and sorrow that we face in our lives. Grief and sorrow in our lives is not sinful, as if they are something that aren’t supposed to happen or have been pre-determined to happen. Several verses back we saw that Isaiah called Jesus the “man of sorrows,” for he definitely knew what sorrow was all about in his life.

       To further understand Jesus’ acquaintance with our griefs and sorrows, let’s bring to mind an interesting insight from Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew penned the following words from Jesus at the end of chapter 11:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (29, 30, ESV).

Tiredness can set in when we put a lot of effort toward sin in our lives. There’s no doubt as pertains to that. Often, persons feel the relief from that when they come into relationship with God for the first time. A feeling of being labored-down and “heavy laden” can also reside in us from any grief or sorrow we’ve been carrying on the inside. That can be let go—usually over a period time—as well. We understand that Jesus, when he descended to the earth, resided in human flesh like we have. As a human being, he experienced that same kinds of sufferings that we do. Thus, understanding is present for him from a first-person perspective of our problems in life, even if they are not the exact same situations that he went through. We know, or postulate, for instance, that Jesus’ earthly father Joseph passed away during his lifetime. That’s a hard life circumstance that Jesus had to go through. Since he was tempted as we are, he understands the sin-side of the equation. He will give us both mercy in forgiving our sins and grace that will help us deal with whatever it is and press forward.

       Going back to our text in Isaiah, we read continue to read of Jesus, “yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4, ESV).

       At the time of Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Israelites had surely “esteemed him stricken, smitten by God.” This was the pinnacle of those harsh feelings against Jesus. One dramatic and noteworthy example of this can be seen, again, in Matthew’s Gospel, now in chapter 12. The resentment of the Pharisees had grown so much that they stated his ability to cast out demons had come from “Beelzebul, the prince of demons” (Matthew 12:24, ESV). Obviously, this wasn’t the case as Jesus’ power was coming from God the Father himself, and he was God. If we fast-forward to the scene at the cross, we observe the Israelites, most definitely Pharisees included, shaking their heads at him as they passed by the place from where he was hanging (see Matthew 27:39). The Jewish people actually thought God was against him. They presumed him altogether stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God himself. In a way, they were right because God didn’t stop what Satan and his forces, and they themselves, were doing. Jesus was bearing our sins.

This brings up our next point, for Isaiah says, “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” (Isaiah 53:5, 6, ESV).

       As spoken of the last time, and as we see once more today, God permitted Jesus to die on the cross for our sins—for the sins of the whole world, every sin that had ever been committed to that time and all future sins that would occur. He suffered for the transgressions that belonged to us, and God allowed Satan to put him to death. Satan really believed that he was stopping God’s plan, that he was ruining it. Yet, God’s plan by this point had actually been for Jesus to go to the cross—to give his life as a ransom for many—to actually be victorious over Satan, sin, and death. In a way, it was God’s punishment—his chastisement—since God didn’t intervene. It wasn’t that God was wrathful against Jesus, but this had to be done for our sake. In only a way God could accomplish, Jesus’ action brought peace for us who trust in this sacrifice on our behalf. This is peace within ourselves, but more importantly, peace with God himself. No longer are our iniquities counted against us. For those of us who believe in him, we can have ‘real’ peace, and live by this peace within ourselves.

In fact, we could say that Jesus’ wounds—his suffering—continues to give us healing from our sins. His wounds heal us—all the regret, the wrongs, the mistakes, the things we could have done better, the immoralities, the hurting of others by our hands—whatever it be, whatever we want bring to mind—he has truly healed us from those circumstances. Now, the opposing choice is also available. Our garbage can be carried around, swung behind our backs, and we can suffer the tiredness from the weight, refusing to let any of it go, to let the past go. Yet, we understand that God has let it all go. If we confess our sins to him, he forgives us of them and remembers them no more. This is the case even if we find ourselves thinking about them later or even if someone reminds us about them. In God’s eyes—and this is what really matters—in God’s eyes they are no more. Yes, we can find and have true rest for our souls. As Jesus told us a little bit ago, we will find “rest for [our] souls. For [his] yoke is easy, and [his] burden is light” (ESV).

       Next in Isaiah, we read in verse 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” (Isaiah 53:6, ESV).

No argument really needs to be made that each and every one of us has sinned at one point—we would all agree with that hopefully. Unfortunately, sinning is in our nature; it is part of us. That’s why we have a great need for a Savior, and that’s why we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to others, so this sin problem can be dealt with in each one of us. For many of us Christians, we can remember how we lived our lives before we became saved. Recollection can be made that we went our own ways, as we did what we wanted to do in life without input from God and without input from his ordinances—his Word. As we lived our lives, we realized that something wasn’t right, something was missing. The meaning to life wasn’t there. Then someone shared the Gospel with us, and we believed it, and turned from following our own ways. And now, most of the time hopefully, we experience real life, true life.

       Importantly, we understand that Jesus didn’t just save us from some of our sins, or most of them, but he saved us from all of them. Even after we become saved and become a new creation in Christ, we still find areas where improvement can be made. We do not instantly grow up and grow complete. When we make ourselves better by making adjustment, or when God steers us to make adjustment, we find ourselves in a better place, with indeed even a happier life. Our growth is a continual process. Jesus noted this and insinuated it was going to be this way when he taught his disciples in the Lord’s Prayer to daily say to God, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12, ESV). All of these debts—all of them—Jesus took care of on the cross. God’s Law required perfect human blood to atone for sin. It wasn’t that God’s wrath had to be appeased, but perfect blood was required. The animal sacrifices of the Jewish Law couldn’t accomplish that—animals aren’t perfect human blood. It is as the writer of Hebrews noted, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV). Christ has done that very thing for us.

       Continuing in Isaiah, we read, “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. By oppression and judgment he was taken away” (Isaiah 53:6-8a, ESV).

       Though the oppression and affliction of the journey to the cross was great, we understand from reading the Gospels that Jesus did not fight back, nor did he speak a word against his accusers or punishers. Demonstrated for us is that wonderful attitude of non-resistance, which must of us continue to fail with. Again, Isaiah states: “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.” An animal didn’t realize what was going on when it was about to be put on the altar for a sacrifice. However, with Jesus, the opposite was true. He grasped exactly what was going to happen. Spoken to his disciples, this had been, on multiple occasions beforehand what the end result would be. Nevertheless, the point is that Jesus did not talk back. This is an example we can all learn from. So, Jesus was lead to his accusers by both the oppression of the Israelites and the technically the judgment of God, since God did not intervene and stop it.

       Next, we read, in verse 8, “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?” (Isaiah 53:8, ESV).

      Again, the fact is pointed out that a great number of Israelites, most as a whole, didn’t understand that Jesus was the Messiah, the one they were supposed to be waiting for. Note that Jesus died first for the Jewish people—God’s chosen people—as the passage states. Obviously, we Gentiles are also offered God’s salvation. The Apostle Paul said in Romans: “This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:25, 26, ESV). Some theologians believe that since the Israelites saw Jesus’ miracles, and all the works he did, since they walked with him, and even since they were his original chosen people—that they are more responsible for their unbelief. Jesus seemingly spoke of this in Matthew chapter 11 and Luke chapter 10. Some even point to the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit as only being possible for the people of Christ’s generation since they saw his works. They saw them with their own eyes, and yet they rejected him. They were the ones who stuck Jesus down, along with Satan working in the background.

       The next part of the text states, “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. 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”” (Isaiah 53:9, 10, ESV).

       We know from Matthew, Mark, & Luke’s Gospels that Joseph of Arimathea was the one who cared for Jesus body after he died, and he put it in his own tomb. Now this man from Arimathea named Joseph was a rich man, and we really don’t know if he had purchased the tomb literally for himself, or for someone else in his family. Nevertheless, he decides to use his tomb for Jesus. Isaiah tells us that apparently in the garden near the cross were buried other wicked men, and a rich man.

      Again, the irony behind Jesus’ Roman execution was the fact that “he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.” Jesus wasn’t guilty like Barabbas, the robber and murder that had led a rebellion in Israel sometime earlier (see Luke 23:18 & John 18:40). Quite to the contrary, as he was non-resistant and non-violent. The Jews requested of Pilate that Barabbas be released instead of Jesus, and that Jesus be condemned to death. Mark, in his Gospel, blamed the release on Pilate, for really too it was Pilate’s decision (see Mark 15:15). He didn’t have to release Barabbas. Again, this just another reason why the condemnation of this generation of the time will be greater than those in other times, like during the time Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God because the people’s hearts had become so hardened. So God had Jesus endure the cross as a ransom for our sin, allowing him to go through the grief, as this was his will. He didn’t let the cup pass from him.

       Continuing on, the passage states of Jesus, “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. 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” (Isaiah 53:10, 11, ESV).

       All of us alive who are Christians, and those in the past after Jesus’ resurrection who believed, are the offspring of Jesus. We have been raised with Christ, in the same way he was raised. We are his heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. Jesus was the first-born from the dead, the One who paved the way for all us to have life after we die. Of course, we know that Christ will establish his kingdom on the earth in the near future, which is for the Jewish people—those who have believed in him and for numerous persons who will believe in him. And Jesus, by all the he has accomplished on the cross, is satisfied at what yet is to come—both for him and for us as fellow heirs with him. The writer of Hebrews pointed this out, when he said that Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 11:2, ESV). Jesus looked ahead to see what would be after all the suffering, and that’s what he fixed his eyes on.

       As a little aside, we can recall that the Sadducees in the New Testament did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus—yet in this section we just read the resurrection is proclaimed. Jesus had told them to just look at the account of the burning bush when God spoke to Moses to show the fact that individuals do rise from death. He noted that God said, ““I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”” (Exodus 3:6, ESV). And he told them that this phrase “I am” is significant as it differentiates the fact that the deceased persons are still living. God didn't say, “I was… the father…” but he said, “I am.” So, even the Old Testament proclaimed the resurrection of the dead.

       The final part of our text states, “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” (Isaiah 53:12, ESV).

       We understand that God exalts Christ to be high and lifted up—and we know he will give him the position as King over the physical kingdom of Israel. The Jews can look forward to that. There’s no reason to wonder about it—as to who is coming. Not only this, but also we as believers will receive spoil, that is, good things with him from God. For those of us who are faithful, and even those of us who escape as though through fire, much will be given us. The obedient will be rewarded with great things. Our gifts from God at the end of our lives will be much, as we seek to please him in this life. He will give us the desires of our hearts—literally, so to speak. All of this is thanks to Jesus, thanks to what he accomplished for us on our behalf. He took away all of our sins, and even today makes intercession for us. So, while we may struggle in this life with hardships and difficulties at times, we have the gift of Jesus’ help, as he prays on our behalf for our good. This is a truth we can rest in, and find hope in, from God’s Word.

       Indeed, in conclusion today, Jesus doesn’t just want to help those of us who believe, but actually he desires to help everyone in our world. His desire ultimately is for people to come to him for the gift of life—the gift of true life. Jesus offers individuals a personal relationship with God by what he has accomplished. This is ultimately eternal life—resurrection from death to life—to all who will put their trust in him, who will be convinced by his sacrifice on their behalf for the forgiveness of their sins. Life doesn’t end after we close our eyes and pass away here from the earth. Humans are everlasting beings—and once created, they live forever somewhere.

       We can either remain in our current states, separated from God, or we can turn to God, believing in his provided salvation. God gives these things to people because he loves them. He loves everyone in the world, and is not willing that anyone should perish. Each person has been created as a unique, individual being. The way we are, the way we look and the personalities we have, all bear God’s image. God wants to fellowship with us on a day-to-day basis. Yet, we as humans have to willingly choose to come into relationship with him. He desires for individuals to have a peaceful experience for eternity—not a miserable one. God doesn’t want anyone to end up in Hell. However, if we don’t accept the truth, he has no choice but to separate us from his presence. After all, didn’t we take part in that choice?

       Please don’t turn away from the truth. There’s no need to be concerned God couldn’t possibility accept us. No matter who we are, no matter what our background is or what we’ve done in our life, we can come to him today. He will not reject us.

If you would like to accept Jesus Christ today as your personal Lord and Savior, then follow the lead of this prayer:

God, I am separated from you. However, I would like to come into personal relationship with you starting now. I believe Jesus has paid for my sins on the cross, and that he will accept me. I am convinced he rose from the dead and is now with you in Heaven. I want to turn from my sin and start to follow your way, which I already know is the correct way. Father, please change my life, and make me a new person; make me like Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

-Daniel Litton