June 24 – The Role of the Suffering Servant – Isaiah 53
The Servant (Jesus Christ) was introduced at the end of chapter 52, and the role of the Servant is portrayed in chapter 53. In verse 2 it prophesies that Jesus will not be physically appealing or desired of men, and goes even further in verse 3 to say that He will be despised and rejected. His role will be of one that will bear our sorrows. He will be wounded and bruised for our sin. God will lay all of man’s sin on Jesus shoulders, and will be like a sheep led to the slaughter. Jesus will do all this with a willing spirit as Isaiah prophesies that He will not open His mouth to defend Himself.
Ultimately Christ’s role as a Suffering Servant is outlined in verse 12; He bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Verse 6 states that we are all sinners. As sinners we are in desperate need of someone to make intercession to God. Jesus Christ is the only one that can provide this intercession. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
