< Isaiah 53 >

The questions: “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” v.1Isaiah 53:1XWaiting for response foreshowed that people generally would not believe the gospel. The preaching of the gospel was prophesied in this section of Isaiah, and the apostle Paul quoted the previous chapter (Isaiah 52:7)Isaiah 52:7XWaiting for response concerning the bringing of glad tidings, showing that rejection of the gospel was anticipated (Romans 10:15-16).Romans 10:15-16XWaiting for response This chapter should really begin at chapter 52 for verses 7-15 as they speak of Christ and his proclamation to the people but, say the apostles: “Who hath believed our report?”

The apostles proclaimed Jesus was “the King of Israel” and “the Son of God” but men saw no beauty in him v.2Isaiah 53:2XWaiting for response and despised and rejected him v.3.Isaiah 53:3XWaiting for response However, the purpose of God included, not only the glory to come, but also Christ’s suffering for sin on our behalf, e.g. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” v.6.Isaiah 53:6XWaiting for response These verses describe in the most poignant terms the suffering of Jesus on our behalf: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” vs.4-5.Isaiah 53:4-5XWaiting for response

As the New Testament confirms, Jesus willingly accepted the excruciating agony of the cross to save us, entering no protest but remaining silent before his tormentors v.7Isaiah 53:7XWaiting for response (Acts 8:32-35).Acts 8:32-35XWaiting for response He had no natural children for he was cut off out of the land of the living so that none could declare his generation v.8,Isaiah 53:8XWaiting for response yet when the LORD made his soul an offering for sin he saw his seed v.10.Isaiah 53:10XWaiting for response The explanation is that God’s purpose involves a great many men and women being counted as Christ’s seed, even though they have no blood relationship with him. By belief and baptism they are born again and are constituted “in Christ” and are the children which God has given him (Hebrews 2:13).Hebrews 2:13XWaiting for response He bare their sins and made intercession for their transgression, pouring out his life unto death v.12,Isaiah 53:12XWaiting for response and because he did this in obedience to his Father, God promised to “divide him a portion with the great” v.12Isaiah 53:12XWaiting for response and in due course Jesus will be the ruler of Israel and the world.