The Suffering Servant

ISAIAH 53:1-12—This well known chapter of Isaiah is a prophecy of the suffering, death, and subsequent exaltation of Jesus, the beloved Son of God and Redeemer of the world. In the opening verse this Great One in the plan of God for human salvation is designated the “Arm of the Lord,” and no other name or title is given to him throughout the chapter. This title is used in the question: “Who hath believeth our report? and to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed?”

Going back to the 10th verse of the preceding chapter we find the reason for this question, for here we read, “The Lord hath made bare his holy Arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Here is a prophecy of glory and victory for the Messiah and of salvation through him for all nations. However, in the 14th verse the prophet notes that God’s servant, his “Arm,” is not generally acclaimed by the people, that his own people particularly would see no beauty in him that they should desire him, thus suggesting that experiences other than those of glory and victory were to come first.

Then in the 15th verse we are told of a message concerning the “Arm of the Lord” that was to be delivered to the people, a report which, while considered for a time, would be rejected. Thus Isaiah asks the question, “Who hath believed our report?” as though to imply that the glad tidings of salvation through Jesus would, for a time at least, be rejected. How true this was in the case of Jesus’ own nation, to whom he first presented himself. “He came unto his own,” the Scriptures declare, “and his own received him not.”—John 1:11

So it turned out that instead of all the ends of the earth seeing the salvation of God and rejoicing in it as provided through his mighty Arm, this foretold One, who grew up before his Heavenly Father as a tender plant and as a root out of the dry ground, was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Instead of taking pleasure in the fact that he had come to bring them salvation, and thus exulting in his glory and the blessings which they could have received through him, they “hid as it were their faces from him.”

The man Christ Jesus stood high in the favor of his Heavenly Father and he rejoiced in the provisions of the divine plan whereby all the world would be given an opportunity through him to he released from the penalty of sin and death. Nevertheless, Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The reason for this was that he bore the sorrows of those around him, yea of the whole world. And despite the fact that the smile of divine approval was upon him, he was considered by the people to be “stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”

Verses 5 and 6 of our lesson present the viewpoint of those who have come to an understanding of the reason Jesus suffered and died, that it was in order to redeem Israel and the world from sin and death—“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” How happy and blessed are those who have come to realize this fundamental truth concerning the work of the Redeemer on their behalf, and who, learning that they have been bought with a price, even his own precious blood, recognize that they no longer belong to themselves, but to the Lord, and upon the basis of this realization, present themselves in full consecration to do his will!

How true it was of Jesus that he opened not his mouth in self-defense! Paul speaks of the great “contradiction of sinners” that was heaped upon the Master, yet he endured the misrepresentation without murmuring and without any attempt to justify himself before men. It was enough for him that he could hear his Heavenly Father say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17; 17:5) Having the approval of his Father, nothing else mattered to Jesus, the Savior of the world.

The question, “Who shall declare his generation?” should be compared with that of verse 10, where we read, “He shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” As a man, Jesus was cut off from the land of the living, and there is none to whom the world can point and say, He is a descendant of Jesus. Nevertheless, he shall see his “seed,” and his days are prolonged.

These expressions are prophetic of the Master as the glorified Christ. He was put to death in the flesh, but quickened to newness of life by the power of the Holy Spirit of God and became “The everlasting Father”—that is the father who will give everlasting life to all the willing and obedient. (Isa. 9:6) The whole world of mankind, restored to life during the Millennium, will be the “seed” of this One who was cut off from the land of the living because he voluntarily surrendered himself to his enemies that he might die for all and thus provide them with an opportunity to live forever.

Thus does the pleasure of the Lord prosper in the hands of Jesus. The “pleasure” or will of God is that all might be “saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” (I Tim. 2:4) This divine intention toward the race is to be carried out fully through Jesus, the One who serves as the “Arm” of Jehovah. No wonder the prophet declares that Jesus will be “satisfied” with the result of his work.

And the Heavenly Father will also be satisfied. In the last verse of the chapter Jehovah promises to give his beloved Son a portion with the “Great,” that is, with himself. The fulfillment of this promise is verified by Jesus in Revelation 3:21, where he says that because he had overcome the world he had been seated with the Heavenly Father in his throne.

Also, according to verse 12, it was the Father’s will that Jesus share his reward with others, even with the “strong,” that is, with the overcomers of this present Gospel age. It is in keeping with this that Jesus declares, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.” (Rev. 3:21) The Master also declares that to those who overcome as he overcame, he will give “power over the nations,” and then he adds, “Even as I have received of my Father.” (Rev. 2:26,27) How highly favored indeed are those who know and appreciate the “man of sorrows,” and who follow faithfully in his footsteps even unto death!

QUESTIONS

Who is the “Arm” of the Lord and what is said concerning him in Isaiah 52:10?

Why was Jesus despised and rejected of men?

In what sense was Jesus a man of sorrows?

How and when will Jesus see his “seed”?

Explain the manner in which the “pleasure” of the Lord will prosper in the hands of Jesus.

Explain the manner in which Jesus was given a portion with the “Great.”

Who are the “strong” ones with whom Jesus divides his reward?

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