Isaiah 53:1-12
Friday, 2 April 2021
“He was despised and forsaken of men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was, and we did not esteem Him.” – Isaiah 53:3
The book of Isaiah known as the Gospel in the Old Testament, gives hope and consolation to his people as well as a warning about divine judgement (exile). The aching heart of God is portrayed in the first chapter. “Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; for the LORD speaks, “Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have revolted against Me.” After giving a graphic description of the sinful status of the people and the impending judgment on them in chapters 1 to 39, the process of their restitution and their future glory is described in chapters 40 to 66!
Our God is a compassionate God and a loving Father – who will correct the mistakes, but will always love to see His children come back to Him! See God’s heart expressed in Isaiah 1:27 “Zion will be redeemed with justice and her repentant ones with righteousness” and a call to the house of Jacob to “walk in the light of the LORD.” (Isaiah 2:5) In God’s supreme authority He has opened a way for all who have departed from and forsaken the LORD!
In Chapter 53 that way of the LORD is revealed. Isaiah 64:4 proclaims “For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him”—giving a hope to anyone who waits on God. The power of sin is so strong that whoever is in its grip, becomes helpless to loosen himself from the yoke of sin. Here when a man puts his trust in God, He acts on his behalf.
Centuries before we were born, God has already established a way of help for all of us! It was done in His own plan and in His own unique way! That plan of saving mankind from the iron fist of sin was revealed through Jesus Christ! The chapter 53 of Isiah portrays the suffering and death of Jesus Christ who is referred to as “the Righteous One, MY Servant” (Isaiah 53:11).
In our key verse today, He is called the “Man of sorrows.” This expression means that He knew better than anyone the havoc that sin brings into human life. Because He is a “Man of sorrows,” He is able to comfort those who experience sorrow. He was born with a purpose!— given in V.4, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Yes, it is true Jesus has carried your sorrows and therefore you do not have to carry it anymore!! You can find a place where your sorrows can be handed over and then receive the peace and comfort that He offers.
When we look in the whole chapter, the following are the various expressions of the suffering Saviour given there:
a) Rejected b) Despised c) Oppressed d) Misunderstood e)Punished f) Wounded g) Substituted for our sins
We are familiar with each of the above experiences, either having happened or can happen in our lives too –all of them produce a pain inducing sorrow. God is referring you to a human counsellor, but a “Wonderful Counsellor”– Jesus Christ who already took your sorrow upon Him! Since He is acquainted with sorrows, HE can immediately understand yours and sympathize with you.
Can you approach the ‘Man of Sorrows’ and sincerely open up your sorrows you may have carried all these years without sharing with anybody? Place them before the cross, He willingly hung there with a purpose – to bear your sorrows and release you from it and give you joy!
Receive the promise: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness…” (Psalm 30:11)
Listen: ‘Man of Sorrows’