Isaiah 53
Read Isaiah 53
Helpful Background Information:
As Paul mentions in 1 Timothy 1:15, Christ came to save sinners. Christ did so by dying on the cross, taking the eternal wrath of God for the sins of his people. However, this purpose didn’t begin when Christ took on flesh, but was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. And Isaiah 53 is perhaps the most obvious prophecy of Christ’s work on the cross.
The prophet Isaiah authored this book sometime between 739 and 681 BC - roughly 700 years before the birth of Christ! More than any other Old Testament book, Isaiah focuses on the salvation that will come through the Messiah. Isaiah 53 is found in the last of four servant songs in the book.
Isaiah 53 is of massive theological significance - and as such, the rich prophecies of Christ found in this chapter cannot be exhaustively described here.
Nonetheless, we find the essential Gospel truths. 1.) Jesus was born into humanity and physically grew up (53:2), was rejected by those he came to save - namely, the Jewish people (53:3), he was pierced (forshadowing the crucifixion) for the sins of his people and died, which in turn saved them (53:4-9), the servant after death will see his offspeing (describing the resurrection) (53:10), those whom he died for are justified (or made right before God) and are considered righteous because of his death (53:11), and lastly in verse 12, the Servant makes intercession for transgressors - which Jesus does right now for us at the right hand of Father (see Romans 8:34).
Indeed, this chapter is so saturated in Christ’s saving work that many theologians throughout church history have called this The Gospel According to Isaiah. In the New Testament, both Christ himself and the apostles expressly see Christ as the fulfillment of this chapter (See Luke 22:26-38; John 12:27; Acts 8:32-25, and 1 Peter 2:19-25) Again, Christ’s mission to save sinners was agreed upon by the Persons of the Trinity before the foundation of the world, prophesied in the Old Testament, and was fulfilled on that old rugged cross. Christmas is the bridge where prophecy was set in motion to become fulfillment.
Reflection Questions:
Isaiah 53 emphasizes that Christ was pierced “for our transgressions.” What does this passage reveal about the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s love and mercy?
How does reading Isaiah 53, written roughly 700 years before Christ, shape your confidence in the reliability and unity of Scripture?
What is one specific way this chapter leads you to respond to Christ during this Christmas season - through worship, repentance, gratitude, renewed trust, etc?