The Old Testament scriptures point to the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, a willing sacrifice. Among them is the beautifully written passage of the suffering servant found in Isaiah 53 where we read of the Man, His mission, and God’s seal of approval.
The Man
God will watch the Man grow up. There will be no physical attributes to make Him desirable. Men will hate and reject Him. He will be well acquainted with sorrow and grief. It will be difficult to look on Him, this despised Man, nor give Him true worth. When oppressed, He will keep silent. He will be cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgressions of His people. He will experience prison and judgement. His grave will be with the wicked and He will be with the rich at His death. No violence will be found in Him, nor any deceit.
His Mission
What was His mission? He was to bear our grief and carry our sorrows. We will see Him as afflicted by God when He was wounded for our sins, bruised for our iniquities, chastised for our peace, and whipped for our healing. In our going astray, each in our own ways, God, the Lord laid on Him our iniquity.
God’s Seal
God’s seal is on these things. Isaiah writes, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.” How can this be? We struggle to comprehend the actions of a loving Father. Then we read, “When You make His soul an offering for sin.” And further on, “My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.” Then comes the reward! “I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong.” God didn’t do it to Jesus. This Jesus, as best described in Hebrews 10:5, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. And in Hebrews 10:7. “Behold I have come–In the volume of the book it is written of Me-to do Your will, O God,” was a willing sacrifice.
In this beautifully written passage of the suffering servant found in Isaiah 53, we read of the Man, His mission and God’s seal of approval. Rejoice and be glad!!