By Dr. Donald Witchard

If you have not read the first four installments of this series, you can find them here:

God’s Suffering Servant: A Look at Isaiah 53 

God’s Suffering Servant, Part 2: The Sin-Bearing Servant 

God’s Suffering Servant, Part 3: The Amazing Servant of Jehovah

God’s Suffering Servant, Part 4: The Salvation Mission of the Servant 

We are continuing our look at the redeeming work of God’s Servant, who is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. We have examined his purposes, His rejection by the people, His wounds and beating, and the fact that we are like lost sheep, not knowing our way and in desperate need of a Shepherd. Now we examine His countenance and calmness, His sacrifice for transgressors, and His character in the midst of all these troubles. The story is again, in an outline form for those teachers and preachers who want to glean from what is written. One cannot help but direct their thoughts to the certainty that Isaiah is seeing the work of Christ in a vision and direct revelation from God.

1 The Servant’s Peaceful Attitude (53:7)

1. His suffering was foreordained (Isaiah 50:6; Zechariah 13:6)
2. He never opened His mouth to defend Himself.
3. He is the Lamb of God (john 1:29-34)

11 The Servant’s Judgment for Sin (53:8)

1. He was judged by Pilate and found not guilty.
2. He asked His enemies if they had ever seen Him sin (John 8:46)
3. His death was for the transgression of the people.

111 The Sinlessness of the Servant (53:9)

1. When He died, there was no place to bury Him.
2. He was placed in a rich man’s tomb.’
3. He was without vice or deceit (Luke 23:41; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
4. His redeeming work had been done.

In verses 10-12 of Isaiah 53, the mission of God’s Servant is coming to a wonderful and glorious conclusion, being the redemption of people from their sins and transgressions. Isaiah concludes this section of his numerous prophecies with a declaration of the redemptive work of the Servant being sufficient and glorifying to the LORD. The redeeming work of the Servant pleases God. No other sacrifices need to be done.

1 The Wondrous Reward of the Servant (53:10)

1. God is pleased with the Servant after he is bruised for our iniquities. This refers to the atonement – the doctrine of the covering over of sin accomplished through the work of Christ on the cross (Romans 5:11)
2. The Servant will see the fruit of His labor (Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 7:9-10)
3. His finished work is prosperous – there is much fruit (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

11 The Finished Work of the Servant (53:11)

1. He will see his work prosper. The sacrifice bears good results (Acts 15:11; Romans 5:9)
2. His sacrificial work brings salvation to many people (Ephesians 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 9:15-16,18)
3. He has borne our iniquities so that we wouldn’t have to do so (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 5:18)

111 The Just reward of the Servant (53:12)

1. The Servant is victorious in His mission. The reward of redemption is to be shared with His people (1 Corinthians 15:24)
2. He poured out His soul and died for us.
3. He identified with us, the transgressors.
4. He bore our sins and interceded for us (Hebrews 4:14)

No one could fit this description except the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory be to His name. The question I have for you, the reader, is this: Do you know Him? Have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus to the Lord and Savior of your life? After reading this, have you been made aware of what He went through so you could be forgiven and saved from eternal destruction in hell? This is the most important decision you will ever make. Don’t put it off. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. Embrace Him today and get ready for the ultimate homecoming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)!