Prophetic Glimpses -- the Suffering Saviour
Isaiah 53

Sermon Outline from the Morning Service - 13 February 2000

I. A Violent Death (1-9)

A. Jewish response to the incarnation (v. 1-2) Jesus came in disguise. Jesus didn't fill the expectation of the Jews about their Messiah.
B. Jewish rejection of their Messiah (v. 3)

1. The Jews call Jesus Yeshu, "Let His name and memory be blotted out!" They did not place true value on Him.
2. The Jews numbered Him "with the transgressors" (v. 12).

C. Jesus' response to His accusers (v. 7)
To understand the silence of Jesus, we must understand the closed mouth of the sinner. Rom 3:19.
"His silence was for me."
D. Jesus' death (vv. 8-9)

1. Human justice was violated -- He was hung for something He'd been acquitted of 3 times!
2. Is. 52:14 gives another perspective -- a snapshot of Him. His form was no longer resembling human form.

II. A Vicarious Death (4-6)

A. What was thought -- v. 4. Surely he suffers because of his sin!
B. What was real -- v. 5

1. He was wounded, bruised, chastized, beaten for what we did wrong. The physical sufferings were light compared to the spiritual suffering that He endured.
2. God numbered Jesus with the transgressors. "He became sin."
3. It was our sin problem that took Jesus to the cross. And for us it means peace and healing (spiritually).

C. Why it was necessary -- v. 6.

1. Mankind was / is lost. We chose to wander the way we did....the path that was away from God.
2. This verse begins with all being condemned, but end with an all as well -- and that is the means of our salvation!

III. A Victorious Death (10-12)

A. The pleasure of God the Father -- the object obtained by His ordeal was "worth it all." John 3:16; Heb. 12:2.
B. The reward of God the Son

1. vindication -- He was resurrected (prolong His days).  It is interesting to see the contrasts in this: the Messiah would be a root out of dry ground (v.2) yet fruitful(v.10); despised & rejected (v.3) yet God's servant, the appointed Messiah (v. 11); cut off (v.8) yet prolonging his days (v.10); without generation (v.8) yet with numerous seed (v.10).
2. His "spoils" -- "I will give Him the mighty for a portion;" "He shall inherit many" (Septuagint). Believers are the spoils that Christ gained by His redemption work. We are the trophies of His holy endeavors.
3. exaltation -- see 52:13