Isaiah 52:13-53:12
This is the fourth and most widely recognized Servant Song.
52:13 May be seen as the fulfillment of Isaiah's vision in his original call of chapter 6. John seems to concur with this connection, seen in John 12:38-41
52:14 Jesus certainly is beaten to the point of death.
52:15 The act of the Servant speaks louder than words; his movement from despicable to exalted will amaze even the most powerful of men.
53:1 The remnant of Israel are seen as responsible for sharing the message of the Servant. The words of the remnant are to explain the arm of God which has already moved and been revealed. Sprinkling of blood was an act showing atonement.
53:2 The Servant grew before the eyes of the world in obscurity because there was no beauty about him. He took root amidst the dry ground, showing that he grew amidst an unbelieving and unfruitful people.
53:3 The Servant experienced the depths of human depravity and darkness.
53:4 The author introduces that the suffering that was incurred to the Servant was not of his fault, but rather as a substitute for the pain we deserved.
53:5 Through his substitution with us, we are able to find healing and peace.
53:6 In contrast to the selfless nature of the Servant, we are like sheep wandering from the Lord on the path we find suitable.
53:7 This parallels how Jesus’ trial is recorded where he remains silent throughout his hearing.
53:8 This verse shows that this passage cannot be fulfilled by Israel. We know already that it could not be fulfilled by Israel because of the sinless nature of the Servant, but now we are told that he was struck for Isaiah’s people. This is the basis for Philip’s message to the eunuch in Acts 8:34-35.
53:9 Jesus is laid in a rich man’s tomb. Jesus is described here as maintaining his perfection even in death.
53:10 “The will of the Lord to crush him...” What good father could will/desire/pleasure to crush their son? Especially the Good Father and his only Son. Hebrews 12:2 gives us insight into this thought, showing that it was with joy that Jesus approached the cross, the place of his destruction. This is because though the cross surely brought about his own death, with him was taken the power of death and chains of sin. Through his death and resurrection, the glory of the Lord would be fulfilled in full.
53:11 Jesus takes the iniquities of the sinful and in turn makes the unrighteous righteous.
53:12 He became our intercessor.