The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53

The title “Suffering Servant” comes from the prophet Isaiah. He shows us that Jesus is the Suffering Servant who will fulfill God’s plan of  salvation for His people. This chapter is amazing because of it’s detailed depiction of the life and suffering of Jesus. This fulfilled prophecy caused so much controversy in later years that it was named “the forbidden chapter.” 

Isaiah 53- the Forbidden Chapter 

Rabbis read this chapter of Isaiah in the synagogues for centuries and understood it was a prophecy of the Messiah.

Intense debates began after Jesus appeared and fulfilled these prophecies. Why is it called the forbidden chapter? The most glaring description of our Messiah was one who suffered on our behalf- “by His wounds we are healed.” The Jews knew only God could forgive sin. They refused Jesus as God’s precious Son and His fulfillment of this prophecy. Their solution was to remove it from readings and teachings. 

The controversy and denial of Jesus fulfilling Isaiah’s words continue today. In synagogues, they still keep Isaiah 53 out of their readings.

Some Jewish scholars believe Christians are taking Isaiah 53 out of context or manipulating the text, but it is still not read. Some say it references the “messiah”, but only as an allegory (symbolic fictional figure.) But then, they also deny Jesus’ deity, and consider Isaiah 9:6 to mean King Hezekiah (“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”)

We understand Isaiah 53 as Jesus fulfilling the life, suffering, and atonement for the world’s sin that are depicted. It may be the most important chapter in the Old Testament! Therefore, it should not be “forbidden” but widely read and studied.

Why is the prophecy of Isaiah so important?

Some hear the word “prophecy” and think “impossible to understand.” But God wants us to study it! He didn’t include it to be avoided or intimidate us, but to prepare us to know and understand the intricacies of His plans. The Bible exists to bring all to a saving faith in Jesus. Isaiah 53 is certainly an epic part of the story!

Studying fulfilled Bible prophecy shows us God’s authority and the Bible’s accuracy. There are over 350 prophetic Scriptures regarding Jesus and He fulfilled every single one!

It also brings certainty to all of God’s promises and future prophecy. Prophecy comforts, guides, and enlightens us!

Aren’t you excited now? Let’s dive in!

The Prophet Isaiah

Isaiah is the first book of prophetic writings in the Bible. God instituted the role of prophet around the time of Samuel. Prophets were to stand with the priests and speak the words given to them by God. Part of their job was to be ruthlessly honest, which did not make them extremely popular.

Many consider Isaiah the greatest of prophets; he prophesied for 60 years before his death. His major role was to #1- call the people of Israel back to God and, #2- prophesy God’s plan of salvation through the coming Messiah.

When was Isaiah 53 Written?

The best estimate was between 600-700 BC. Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus 600-700 years before He was even born.

Isaiah 53 Prophecies 

What is Isaiah 53 About? 

Isaiah describes how, through His grace; God freed us from sin through His suffering Servant. He begins his prophecy briefly, however, in Chapter 52:13-15:

“Behold, my servant will prosper; He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.” v13(NASB)–The very first prophecy Isaiah gives is the promise of Jesus’ victory!

“Just as there were many who were appalled at him-his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness- so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him.”vv14-15a.

This tells us of the extensive beating our Savior took from the soldiers and His brutal crucifixion. But in the next breath, Isaiah says He will “sprinkle” (associated with cleansing of sin) many nations. Kings will fall silent in awe before Him.

Isaiah gives us the most complete picture of Jesus, the suffering Servant.

Jesus in Isaiah 53

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.” 53:2a.

This tender shoot came to us as a helpless newborn but grew in “wisdom and stature.” Jesus grew up in a land under Roman occupation, silence from God, and oppressive Jewish law- definitely spiritually dry ground!

“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” 53:2b.

Jesus’ physical appearance was of an ordinary man. There were plenty of men whom the Bible describes as handsome (Daniel, David, and Solomon, to name a few) but they did not describe Jesus this way.

He seemed inconsequential in all ways to the Jews. His birth carried a shameful beginning, his family was not wealthy, he had not studied under a famous rabbi (little did they know!) and what good comes from Nazareth anyway?

There was nothing extraordinary about Him. Nothing about his life or looks led them to believe He was their Messiah. They were looking for a wealthy and powerful warrior to overthrow the Romans.

Suffering Messiah 

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” v3.

Jesus knew sorrow and suffering in His life. He came as the long awaited Messiah, but experienced hate and rejection by many He came to save. While He had times of joy, He not only suffered himself, but also deeply felt the suffering of the poor, the sick, and grieved over the lost.

By His Wounds We are Healed 

“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” vv4-5.

These verses are what trip up those who want this description to be someone else, or the Israelites as a whole. 
But there is no one else who can fit into this role as Jesus did. He alone took on the role of a suffering Servant in our place for forgiveness of our sin..

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” V6.

All of us need the atoning work of Jesus; we wander away from Him each day. God put the sin of the world onto Him; what a heavy burden He carried!

Pin me for later!

Jesus as the Suffering Servant 

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” V7.

Our perfect Lamb went to His death willingly to atone for our sins. Jesus did not defend Himself against the unfair sentence or reply to even a single charge brought against Him at trial.

“He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” V9.

Jesus died with the wicked; they crucified Him with two known criminals. He was sinless and had committed no crime, yet He suffers a humiliating execution. They planned to bury Him with the criminals, but Joseph of Arimathea (a wealthy man and member of the Sanhedrin) steps up to offer his family tomb.

“After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.” V11a.

He will rise from the dead and reign forever in glory. Amazingly, He is “satisfied.” He endured unbelievable suffering but does not regret any of it. You and I were worth every stripe and nail.

Summary of Isaiah 53 

God gave His prophet Isaiah the vision of a Servant who brings salvation from sin through enormous suffering. God takes great delight in His Servant, who brings light to the world, gives sight to the blind, brings deliverance to all, and comes out victorious. Isaiah 53 was describing Jesus, God’s Anointed One, who suffered horrifically on behalf of humanity.

The Suffering Servant in the New Testament 

The Gospels give us many descriptions of Jesus as the Suffering Servant:

•Matthew 8:17 describes many sick and demon possessed people who came to Jesus. “This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.’” Isaiah 53:4 NRSV.

•John tells us that even after all the miracles Jesus performed, many still did not believe in Him.
 “This was to fulfill the word of the Prophet Isaiah: ’Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’” John 12:38; fulfilling Isaiah 53:1. (The arm of the Lord is a picture of His power and strength.)

•Luke 22:37

This passage notes a conversation between Jesus and the disciples, which occurred on the night He was betrayed. Jesus quotes Isaiah: “It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’, and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment’” (fulfilling Isaiah 53:12).

•1 Peter 2:22-25 quotes Isaiah 53:9-

^“‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’

 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

•There is an amazing story in Acts 8:26-40 where Philip meets an Ethiopian who was reading Isaiah 53! Philip uses this Old Testament Scripture of our Suffering Servant as a starting point to tell him “the good news about Jesus” v35.  What a glorious reminder that we find Jesus in the entire Bible, and can use it to help explain the gospel.

What Lessons Do We Learn from Jesus’ Suffering?

•Jesus underwent horrific suffering, which makes Him able to understand every test, disease, trial, and suffering in our own lives. He faithfully comes to us in our suffering with His compassion, mercy, and hope.

•Jesus gave us the gift of communion as a remembrance of His suffering:

“This is my body given for you… This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:19, 20.

He wants us to come together to remember and reflect on His suffering, His servant nature, and our forgiveness of sin by His sacrifice.

•Jesus says following Him means “taking up our cross” daily. It is a denial of self and obeying Him willingly- and it’s not easy. But we give glory to God when we use our suffering and pain to become more like Jesus and point others to Him.

“But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ” 1 Peter 2:20b ESV.

Isaiah Prayer

Questions for reflection:

Did your opinion of studying prophecy change? If so, how will you apply it to your studies?

Does the fulfilled prophecy of Isaiah 53 give you the courage and knowledge to help explain the good news of Jesus?

How do you usually approach suffering, trials, and painful life experiences? What’s the hardest part of following Jesus’ example?

Blessings!

AnnMarie

All Scripture is taken from the NIV unless specified otherwise.

¹https://www.jhm.org/Articles/2018-11-01-why-study-biblical-prophecy