Introduction: Who is the individual referred to in this chapter, and in three other chapters of Isaiah, as “the servant of the Lord?” It could have been a king like Hezekiah or Uzziah. It could have been a prophet like Jeremiah or Isaiah. No satisfactory answer is found until we move to the New Testament and look at Jesus Christ. The New Testament writers came to that conclusion. Of the 12 verses in Isaiah 53, only one does not appear in the New Testament. Isaiah 53 is a portrait of Jesus Christ written centuries before He was upon this earth. I want us to see Jesus under the spotlight of Isaiah 53 and remind ourselves again of the suffering of our Savior.
I. VISIBLE SUFFERING
a. The suffering of Jesus marked His body.
b. The suffering of Jesus disturbed His soul.
c. The suffering of Jesus broke His heart.
II. VALIANT SUFFERING
a. Jesus’ suffering was not deserved.
b. Jesus suffered for our sins, not His own.
III. VOLUNTARY SUFFERING
a. Jesus’ suffering was something He voluntarily took upon Himself.
b. Nobody took Jesus’ life – He freely gave it!
IV. VICARIOUS SUFFERING
a. Jesus suffered for us – in our behalf.
b. Our iniquity has been placed on Him.
V. VICTORIOUS SUFFERING
a. Discouragement is not the final answer.
b. The cross is the final answer!
Galatians 6:17 John 11:35 Ephesians 3:8
Mark 3:5 Matthew 23:37 Colossians 1:19
Mark 6:6 Luke 22:44 II Corinthians 5:21
Mark 8:12 John 1:14 John 10:18
John 11:33 I Corinthians 1:24 Philippians 2:8
Matthew 9:36