Isaiah 53 Commentary
The LORD will wash away the filth of the women of Zion. This would be the function of the Branch. Chapter 4.
In response to King Ahaz’s fear of an eminent military attack on Jerusalem, the LORD speaks of Immanuel – God with Us. Chapter 7
Chapter 9 is even more beautiful! “The people walking in darkness have a great light.” For to us, a child is born. The government will be on His shoulders. He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end.
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.” This is chapter 42 describing the Servant of the LORD. The LORD puts His Spirit on Him. He brings justice to the nations
Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted His people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. Chapter 52 introduces us to the Servant-cum-King. Chapter 53 gives us more details and it is breathtaking! Probably no human hand would fully capture the glory of what the Servant means to humanity.
Yes, He establishes His own Kingdom; He brings justice to the nations; he brings salvation – the history-long blessing to the nations; but how? Who can guess? It is an exam we hardly pass!
Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this? Nothing attractive about His appearance; looked down on and passed over. Many still think He is a scum – a scandal to the meaning of salvation!
But it was our sins that did that to Him. He took the punishment of us all. Through His bruises, we get our healing.
The LORD had promised that He would make Jerusalem secure and no one would disturb her again. Now we understand how. The sinful city would be secure because Servant would be punished for Jerusalem’s sins – a grave that is ours becomes His. The righteous suffering for the unrighteous – taking up the cause of the black sheep.
But guess what? All of this is God’s master plan of salvation. It is the same down-and-out Christ that we should look to for our redemption. He is the Way, the Life, and the Truth.
Isaiah is constantly challenging our view of salvation. Chapter 49 presents us with a complicated picture of the relationship between the saved and the Savior. The Servant together with the saved appears to share the same space. They function from the same rule book. It is clear to the New Testament reader that the Servant has extended His role, in part, to the saint. “What you have seen and heard, go do; go become; go preach.
Let an individual ponder the need for salvation and the means provided by the LORD. With this provision, no one ever needs to be a black sheep. No one should actually end up in hell. Think about it.
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