the gospel according - future israelfutureisraelministries.org/files/isaiah_52-53.pdf · the gospel...

The Gospel According

to

Isaiah 5213-5312

Barry E Horner

1

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH 5213-5312

Pastor Barry Horner

I INTRODUCTION Without controversy amongst the prophets Isaiah is incomparably the greatest surely a prince amongst his brethren in the Old Testament As one acknowledged writer declares Isaiah was ldquothe most remarkable of the prophets he was by far the greatest writer in the Old Testament He was evidently a magnificent preacher in the Templerdquo1

A The supremacy of Isaiah in the Old Testament

Isaiah was a Jerusalem aristocrat of around 700 BC probably of royal blood who freely mixed with Jewish aristocracy Highly educated and possessing great literary skills he was an artist with words a poetic genius using a greater vocabulary than any other of the prophets

The source of Isaiahrsquos greatness was his reverent yet intimate relationship with Jehovah of Israel the only true and living God In 61‐13 his encounter with ldquothe Holy One of Israelrdquo (14) leads to his confession (65) his cleansing (66‐7) and his commissioning as a prophet (68‐13)

Tradition records that Isaiah was literally sawn in half during the evil reign of King Manasseh His name means ldquothe LORD is the source of salvationrdquo which is identical with the whole theme of the Book namely thatldquoSalvation is of the LORD [Jehovah]rdquo (cf 121‐3 527 10)

B The structure of Isaiah

For the Christian Isaiah presents us with what is sometimes called ldquothe Gospel according to Isaiahrdquo or ldquothe First Gospelrdquo Isaiah is quoted more often in the New Testament than all the other prophets combined Isaiah is in fact a miniature of the two main divisions and 66 chapters of the English Bible 1 Chapters 1‐39 reflect the 39 books of the Old Testament 2 Chapters 40‐66 reflect the 27 books of the New Testament

Virtually all scholars have acknowledged a major division between Isaiah 1‐39 and Isaiah 40‐66 Just as Isaiah 401‐3 speaks of the Forerunner John the Baptist so Matthew Mark Luke and John all similarly commence with the announcing ministry of John the Baptist

1 Paul Johnson A History of the Jews pp 74‐75

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH ndash ISAIAH 5213‐5312

2

But of the whole Book of Isaiah yet the jewel in the casket must unquestionably be chapters 52‐53 Here we have the most sublime the most exalted prophecy found in all of the Bible Here is the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the plainest terms yet in fine detail written 700 years before this Messiah was born It relates the life death burial and resurrection of the Son of God from Nazareth

If a person was unfamiliar with the Old Testament it would be perfectly reasonable for that individual upon hearing Isaiah 52‐53 read to them to conclude that they had listened to portion of one of the four Gospels or an epistle of Paul

C The authorship of Isaiah especially chs 52‐53

Up until 1775 there was no argument The whole of Isaiah was written by Isaiah that is about 700 BC Then liberal scholarship began to suggest that Isaiah 40‐66 was written by an unknown author given the name Deutero [second]‐Isaiah which view has become popular amongst more liberal scholars In 1892 another liberal scholar suggested a Trito [third]‐Isaiah for Isaiah 56‐66 But we reject this fragmentary hypothesis since in the New Testament many people attribute Isaiah 40‐46 to none other than Isaiah himself Consider 1 In Matthew 33 John the Baptist quotes from Isaiah 40 and attributes it to Isaiah

2 In Luke 417‐19 Luke records how Jesus Christ read from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue at

Nazareth

3 In John 1238‐41 the Apostle John quotes from Isaiah 6 and 53 and attributes both to Isaiah

4 In Romans 1020‐21 the Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah 65 and attributes it to Isaiah

5 Further the great weight of centuries of Jewish tradition has consistently believed that Isaiah wrote all of Isaiah

D The outline of Isaiah 5213‐5312

1 The introduction of Jesus Christ 5213‐15

2 The rejection of Jesus Christ 531‐3

3 The atonement of Jesus Christ 534‐9

a The necessity of the atonement vs 4‐6

b The operation of the atonement vs 7‐9


3

4 The glorification of Jesus Christ 5310‐12

E The Introduction to Isaiah 5213‐5312

1 Consider the broad context

a Isaiah 1‐39 declares Godrsquos rebuke judgment and promises concerning sinful degenerate Israel much akin to the Old Testament as a whole

b Isaiah 40‐66 declares Godrsquos comfort deliverance and saving grace whereby Israel

will be delivered from captivity under Babylon much akin to the New Testament as a whole (cf 401‐2)

2 Who is ldquoMy servantrdquo a term introduced in 418‐9

Judaism in rejecting any personal messianic reference here has suggested that this ldquoservantrdquo is the nation of Israel that is Jacob Christianity has strongly asserted that the person of Jesus as Israelrsquos Messiah is prophetically revealed

a The ldquocorporaterdquo view is commonly held by Jews and liberal scholars ldquoMy servantrdquo

is identified as the nation of Israel Certainly Isaiah 418‐9 does refer ldquoservantrdquo to Israel as a nation But on the other hand Isaiah 495‐6 clearly cannot refer to Israel as a nation since it is the ldquoservantrdquo who brings restoration to Israel

b The ldquomessianicrdquo view is the conviction of historic Christianity that here in Isaiah

52‐52 we have described ldquoJesus the Messiahrdquo Why Because Isaiah 14‐6 and elsewhere describe Israelrsquos unclean sinful condition But the ldquoservantrdquo in Isaiah 537 9 is described as passive innocent undefiled undeserving of his sufferings Who else is this except the Lamb of God

For the Christian Acts 830‐35 is conclusive since the Word of God here describes Philip teaching the Ethiopian Eunuch about Jesus and he does so from Isaiah 537‐8

After their return from Babylonian captivity the Jews spoke Aramaic rather than Hebrew so that it became necessary for the Scriptures to be translated into Aramaic These translations with comments were later written down and called Targums The most important Targum of the Prophets is that of Jonathan ben Uziel a contemporary of Gamaliel (cf Acts 534 223) in the first century who translated Isaiah 5213 as follows ldquoBehold my servant the Messiah prospers he will be high and will flourish and be very powerfulrdquo


4

II THE INTRODUCTION OF JESUS CHRIST 5213‐15

A The great resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ v 13

ldquoBehold My servant will prosper He will be high and lifted up and greatly exaltedrdquo By way of illustration here in vs 13‐15 we have the overture of the composition There is final success and exaltation in v 13 brutal humiliation like a flash‐back movie in v 14 then fruitful success v 15 After this in 531‐12 we have the main movements in greater detail of brutal humiliation and fruitful success

1 We commence with the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ About this we are

told three things

a Jesus Christ will ldquoprosperrdquo or ldquodeal prudentlyrdquo (KJV) It means that He will ldquohave successrdquo just as Jeremiah 235 states

b Jesus Christ will ldquorise and be exaltedrdquo that is from humiliation from human

aversion sin and the grave (Phil 25‐11) c Jesus Christ will be ldquoexceedingly highrdquo that is above all rulers and authorities (Col

210 15)

2 In other words without the resurrection of Jesus Christ there is no benefit from His humiliation His triumph over death and sin must be a reality for the sinner himself to triumph over death and sin

a No resurrection means no success (5213)

b No lifting up of Jesus Christ means no offspring (5310)

c No exaltation of Jesus Christ means no spoils (5312a)

d Paul is emphatic at this point in I Corinthians 1517‐19 For if Christ is not risen

actually really then

(1) Our faith is useless we are still guilty of our sin v 17

(2) Those ones we hoped would rise will not rise v 18

(3) If we have had an interest in Christ a dead Christ only concerning this present mortal life then we are to be pitied

3 When Paul writes of pity surely he especially has in mind the liberal Sadducees and

therefore those liberals today and secularists who patronize the humanity of Christ


5

alone They merely condescend to acknowledge the ethics of Jesus and no more In fact with supreme arrogance they divide Christ the human from the divine Like Thomas Jefferson they apply their scissors to the Word of God and construct a Christ according to their own manipulation

Friends donrsquot be deceived with such charlatans They are just like Hymenaeus and Philetus (II Tim 216‐18) As Paul says such talk is like a spreading gangrene Rather the apostle goes on to say ldquolsquoThe Lord knows those who are Hisrsquo and lsquoeveryone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickednessrsquordquo

4 Rather let us listen to the advice of Isaiah for He says here ldquoBeholdrdquo that is ldquoBehold

My servantrdquo or still better ldquoBehold My servant will prosperrdquo that is succeed in His own resurrection and therefore the resurrection of believing sinners as a result And if we ldquobeholdrdquo and truly perceive this risen successful Christ then we will surely want to sing

What grace O Lord and beauty shone Around Thy steps below What patient love was seen in all Thy life and death of woe

Edward Denny

In Isaiah 4522 we are exhorted instead of ldquoBeholdrdquo ldquoTurn to Me [Look unto Me KJV] and be saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is no otherrdquo This is the verse that was instrumental in the conversion of C H Spurgeon By faith he looked and lived

B The great humiliation and disfigurement of Jesus Christ v 14

ldquoJust as many were astonished at youndash (so His appearance was marred‐disfiguredruined more than any man and His form more than the sons of men)ndashrdquo

1 By way of illustration have you ever been involved in a serious accident yet not being

badly injured you call home to explain ldquoMum and Dad Irsquom not really hurt at all But I have been in a bad accidentrdquo To avoid our parents experiencing despair we brace them first with the good news

In v 13 as we have been braced with the good news ldquoBehold My servant will prosper [have success]rdquo so this success is inevitable His salvation will certainly accomplish His Fatherrsquos planned salvation But in v 14 we now face the shocking news Suddenly we are plunged into an appalling scene of grossly assaulted purity like the brutal disfigurement of something of beauty the defilement of something of virtue


6

The people of God (Israel) have witnessed an astonishing horror such as in Ezekiel 2735‐36 where the surrounding nations were pained at the devastation of Tyre by King Nebuchadnezzar He besieged it for 13 years

2 By way of illustration perhaps you have known a friend in the prime of life then suddenly after a serious accident he or she is horribly maimed We are repulsed by the scars wanting to turn away Our agony would be vastly multiplied if we had caused such suffering

3 The horror here concerns the appearance of Jesus Christ after he had suffered at the

hands of men He was ldquomarred more than any man and his form more than the sons of menrdquo It is not saying that no disfigurement has exceeded the Son of God Rather His suffering was such that he could not be recognized as a man (cf Luke 2263‐64)

We have to be careful here in focusing upon Christrsquos gross sufferings such as have been depicted in Mel Gibsonrsquos film The Passion of Christ which I have no intention of seeing Roman Catholicism has tended to grovel in these physical sufferings We can minimize them and then react in going too far in the opposite direction (II Cor 516) The best control here is to stick with Scripture God has authorized no other representation or visualization

But repulsive as the vision here is yet this gruesome scene is multiplied in its horror because the assailant is Adamrsquos race venting its nature on the Son of God both physically and verbally The real hideousness here is that of our own sin it is the ugliness of human nature manrsquos innate terrifying depravity As Thomas Kelley has written

Ye who think of sin but lightly Nor suppose the evil great Here may view its nature rightly Here its guilt may estimate Mark the sacrifice appointed See who bears the awful load rsquoTis the Word the Lordrsquos Anointed Son of Man and Son of God

4 He by whom all things were created who reigned in unclouded holy glory ldquowho did not sinrdquo (I Pet 222) yet became veiled in human flesh as a despised Nazarene and carpenter the washer of mensrsquo feet the object of scorn and hatred (John 15 10 II Cor 89)

5 But for what purpose did Jesus Christ willingly submit to such humiliation such

indignity It was for sinful others even me as Bernard of Clairvaux has timelessly told us


7

O sacred Head now wounded With grief and shame weighed down Now scornfully surrounded With thorns thine only crown O sacred Head what glory What bliss till now was thine Yet though despised and gory I joy to call thee mine

What thou my Lord hast suffered Was all for sinnersʹ gain Mine mine was the transgression But thine the deadly pain Lo here I fall my Saviour rsquoTis I deserve thy place Look on me with thy favor Vouchsafe to me thy grace

However now read v 15 for the cosmic effect of this humiliation But does this speak of the past or present or future Probably the future as Spurgeon confirms Of course vs 13‐15 are merely introductory the overture The main movements will then follow in 531‐12

C The great revelation and accomplishment of Jesus Christ v 15

ldquoSo He [the crushed Servant] will sprinkle many nations kings will shut their mouths on account of Him for what had not been told them they will see and what they had not heard they will understandrdquo

1 Here we have described the inscrutable wonder of the Gospel being manrsquos foulest deed

yet turned around by God into a cleansing stream for the whole world

a God alone can make manrsquos bitter waters sweet even those of His own Son

b God alone can take the opposition of a Pharaoh and turn it into the redemption of His people

c God alone can make the wrath of men to praise Him (Ps 769‐10)

d God alone can make the darkness to be turned into day

e God alone can turn the horror of manrsquos depravity into adoring wonder at Godrsquos

grace


8

2 ldquoThus He (the crushed Servant) will sprinkle many nationsrdquo That is a great multitude of Gentiles will be cleansed and specifically through His blood (I Pet 22)

a The Jewish people thought this Servant needed to be punished no eliminated for

His own sin of being a Sabbath breaker and blasphemously claiming to be the Son of God But God caused this slander into His own cleansing fountain

b The nations the Gentiles as well as the Jews shall benefit from their being culpable

of the crime of the age Now this is an astonishing revelation

3 Kings will be struck dumb with speechless regard for this incomparable plan of salvation so antithetical to manrsquos devices Here is Godrsquos amazing grace that so starkly contrasts with manrsquos amazing arrogance and conceit a Out of degradation comes purification for degraders

b Out of grief comes glory

c Out of judgment comes justification

d Out of humiliation comes exaltation

e Men will confess that what man meant for evil God has marvelously turned to

good

4 Why was it when the Old Testament chapter divisions were introduced probably in 1244 AD that a break was made after Isaiah 5215 a The only answer that makes sense is the fact that what we have studied thus far is

merely the overture that is the introduction of the overall theme or ldquoleit motifrdquo in musical terms The major movements are before us though it will only expand upon what we have already learned about

b By way of illustration in a large musical composition it is important to listen to the overture since it will in a nutshell so to speak tell you what is most important

c Have you heard of Godrsquos glorious Gospel thus far If not then keep on listening as

the major movement breaks forth But if you have heard Godrsquos overture speak to you then yield to it for Jesus Christ has been lifted up and exalted for such as you

d If you bow before Godrsquos Messiah now because of the overture then the main

movements will have such glorious meaning for you that you never before


9

understood Why Because you have become deeply acquainted with the Composer of this Gospel symphony


10

III THE REJECTION OF JESUS CHRIST 531‐3

A Introduction 1 By way of illustration the fourth century church father Augustine was converted under

the preaching ministry of Ambrose Bishop of Milan He asked the Bishop which book of the Bible he should study first and he was advised to study Isaiah

2 By way of illustration it is most enlightening to contrast the worldrsquos declared estimation of Jesus Christ with that which the Bible declares its real opinion to be There is great disparity here

a It is much like that of a group of society gossips who formally publically declare

their admiration for a leading personage and then retire in private to tear that personrsquos character into shreds

b With great patronage the world condescends to declare its esteem for Jesus Christ especially at Christmas and Easter times But during the rest of the year it wages war against Him

c The world acts towards Jesus Christ much like Judas Iscariot did being two‐faced

and Pharisaic (Matt 2215‐18)

(1) There is an outward acknowledgment and involvement regarding the cause of Christ but at the same time the real intent is to rob Christrsquos purse (John 126) and use Him in some mercenary way

(2) During the daylight there is that mixing with His disciples yet in the night time the real plan unfolds that is betrayal (John 1321‐30)

(3) There is that outward deceptive concern for the poor and righteous causes in

His midst but the motivation is devilish (John 121‐6)

d However the Bible strips away this hypocritical and superficial regard this sham religion which shall one day be brought to full light as fraudulent (Luke 121‐3) (1) According to Psalm 22‐3 ldquoThe kings of the earth take their stand and the

rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed (Messiah)rdquo

(2) While on Palm Sunday religious enthusiasts cried out as Jesus entered Jerusalem on the foal of an ass ldquoHosanna to the Son of David blessed is He


11

who comes in the name of the Lordrdquo yet in less than a week that same crowd would thirstily cry out ldquoCrucify Him Crucify Himrdquo

(3) John the Apostle declares that the whole world did not and does not welcome

Him (John 110‐11 319)

(4) And likewise Isaiah in 531‐3 declares that the true ministry of Jesus Christ is scorned spurned despised It is a leprous message that is not worthy of belief It is to be derided it is contemptible

B The unpopularity of the true Gospel message v 1

ldquoWho has believed our message And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealedrdquo 1 ldquoWho has believed our messagerdquo This does not seem to suggest a very successful

answer By what criteria do you measure the effectiveness of a preacher of the Word of God How do you measure success Is it numbers the ability to draw a crowd that becomes impressed and moved But on such a basis you would exclude Isaiah 69‐12 (10) You would also exclude Ezekiel 31‐15 (7 11) So in Isaiah 531 the faithful prophet bemoans the scanty response to his preaching of Godrsquos Gospel message It is an astonishing incredible response a Here the message of the true Gospel is unpopular even rejected ldquoWho has believed

our report [preaching]rdquo Not many Only a few will acknowledge the sickness of their soul upon which the bad news is based and is the predicate of the good news This is not a welcome or popular message except for those diseased in their soul Matt 53‐4)

(1) But Jesus Christ himself also faced this problem of a lack of response as his

concluding ministry indicates (John 1219 36‐38) (2) Paul also faced the same problem as he ministered to Israel (Rom 1016)

(3) Peter also faced men who regarded Christ crucified as ldquoa stone of stumbling

and a rock of offenserdquo (I Pet 28) (4) By way of illustration friends our hearts ought to be grieved when the Gospel

of the free grace of God ricochets from hard hearts The Lord Jesus even wept over this condition (Matt 2337)

(5) By way of illustration the condition of such resistance may be likened to those

multitudes who would not get into the lifeboats of the sinking Titanic Many were lowered being less than half full They could not believe the unsinkable


12

was sinking So modern man believes in human perfectibility and is bound to perish in a sinking world

2 ldquoAnd to whom is the arm of the LORD revealedrdquoThe power of the true Gospel message

is unrecognized and disparaged

a The ldquoarm of the Lordrdquo is his saving omnipotence which is supremely manifested in the Gospel (cf Isa 4010‐11 529‐10 591‐2)

b The Gospel is that God has rolled up His sleeves and acted with great power

through regeneration redemption and resurrection The problem is not with Godrsquos message but with the cold hearts of men in general (Matt 1354 58 Luke 425‐29) Some have been saved by the power of God the unwise the impotent the weak the base the despised the foolish (I Cor 126‐29)

c But the saving power of God is only for those who believe (cf Rom 116 Eph 118‐

19) So Isaiah writes ldquoWho has believed our messagerdquo (531)

3 Why then is Isaiahrsquos gospel message not believed unpopular

a Is it because of Isaiah himself Was his preaching style unappealing lacking in communication skill and clarity Unthinkable

b Was it on account of Isaiahrsquos message Emphatically ldquoNordquo unless God never spoke

to him But just look back at the message of 5213‐15 it is for the healing of the nations

c Or is the real reason that of the hearts of the people Yes since from the beginning

of Isaiah 15‐6 the prophet has declared ldquoFrom the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in itrdquo

d By way of illustration Thomas Manton comments ldquoWe all profess ourselves to be

Christians disciples of Christ those that have entertained Him [Luke 1326‐28] but few do really believerdquo2 Why

(1) Because of willing lazy ignorance (2) Because of a lack or earnest determined seeking

(3) Because of careless security in broken reeds

2 Thomas Manton The Complete Works of Thomas Manton III pp 198‐203


13

(4) Because of a light esteem of Jesus Christ that is casual

(5) Because of deceitful presumption of being born into a Christian family

(6) Because of a hardness of heart that is void of humility

(7) Because of self‐confidence resolve expertise

(8) Because of carnal reasoning whereby we dilute our sensitivity and fear of sin

(9) Because of a fear of God that lacks boldness

(10) Because of a misapprehension of Jesus Christ that presumes or regards Him as a mere ideal rather than a Savior

4 By way of conclusion perhaps manrsquos greatest stumbling block when confronted with the

Christ of Scripture is his presumption regarding what to expect

a When Israel sought a king it was so that they might be ldquolike all the nationsrdquo (I Sam 85) But God wanted a different king one after His own heart

b The world looks for an Eliab Abinadab or Shamah but God selects a young

shepherd (I Sam 167)

c The world looks for one about to bring prosperity (Matt 219 cf Ps 11825‐26) but not ldquothe stone which the builders refusedrdquo (Ps 11822)

d The world desires a man who will miraculously ldquocome down from the crossrdquo but

Jesus Christ ldquoendured the cross despising the shamerdquo (Heb 122)

e The world declares the cross to be foolishness but to those who believe it is ldquothe power of Godrdquo (I Cor 118)

5 Friends the true biblical gospel is not that depicted by films and television and famous

actors for comfortable home viewing

a By way of illustration the little boy was right when asked why he liked the radio rather than television he replied ldquoBecause the pictures are clearerrdquo

b So here in Isaiah we have the clearest Gospel It is the very opposite of worldly

conceptions


14

c By way of illustration donrsquot play doctor with your soul donrsquot make your own diagnosis donrsquot be your own physician If you do then you are described in v 3 ldquoHe was despised and we did not esteem Himrdquo

6 But if you will accept Godrsquos diagnosis of your disease and agree with it then your

confession will be like that of v 6 ldquoAll of us like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Himrdquo

Donrsquot be like the person who seeks a good doctorrsquos help and then rejects it thinking he knows better Listen to the diagnosis of the Great Physician who knows your heart and is alone able to cure it He alone can ldquojustify the manyrdquo and ldquobear their iniquitiesrdquo v 11

C The unattractiveness of the Savior v 2

ldquoFor He grew up before Him like a tender shoot and like a root out of parched ground He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him nor appearance that we should be attracted to Himrdquo

When we consider the person of Jesus Christ in the history of the world the reaction of the human race towards Him can only be described as contradictory conflicting enigmatic puzzling but truest of all supremely hypocritical

Pilate well illustrates this two‐faced double‐tongued attitude when he first declared ldquoI find no fault in Himrdquo (John 1838) Yet he followed this with having Jesus scourged (John 191) then acquitted Him (John 194) and finally delivered Him over to the Jews to be crucified (John 1916)

The famous French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte said of Jesus Christ ldquoBetween Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparisonrdquo Yet Napoleon was a militant megalomaniac a grandiose dictator who was banished from Europe to the island of St Helena as a ldquodisturber of public peacerdquo

Ernest Renan the French skeptical theologian declared ldquoJesus is in every respect unique and nothing can be compared with Himrdquo Yet his Life of Jesus repudiated the supernatural

The English novelist H G Wells when asked which person had left the most permanent impression on history remarked ldquoBy this test Jesus stands firstrdquo But he was a humanist and Fabian Socialist who scorned the doctrine of original sin Yet his last book had the depressing title ldquoMind at the End of its Tetherrdquo

Take the latest issue of the Encyclopedia Britannica Its article on Jesus Christ is much longer than those describing Aristotle Alexander the Great Julius Caesar or Napoleon But the description is nevertheless that of a liberal rather than an evangelical biblical Christ


15

A number of western parliamentscongresses open their sessions with the Lordrsquos Prayer Here we patronize Jesus Christ yet in our lifestyles we blaspheme him and crucify Him by means of our godless legislation

So in Isaiah 53 manrsquos condescending esteem is shown for what it really is that is a cloak or charade that attempts to cover our despising and loathing of what in His real person and ministry He really stands for

The coming of Jesus Christ to this diseased planet may be likened to a king who determines to visit part of his realm that has been blighted with a great plague (Most appropriately a seventeenth century puritan and Cambridge University graduate named Ralph Venning published a notable book on the doctrine of sin called The Plague of Plagues) However this king comes with sympathy and compassion he comes untainted without sores or scars or disfigurement he comes to bring healing to destroy the plague he comes dressed in coveralls occasionally showing his inner glory he comes not with a great fanfare of trumpets or procession but mingling unobtrusively incognito However a shock awaits us for as this king mingles his subjects confess that they are well They are not sick even though their bodies are covered with putrefying sores and ugly growths from head to foot They are in a state of total denial This is but a representation of Isaiah 53 2 ldquoFor He grew up before Him like a tender shootrdquo v 2a

a The humble birth and rearing of the Lord Jesus was like a thin sprout or twig It was

weak insignificant useless not worth taking notice of Jesus did not come into this world with status class sophistication After all everybody understands that it is the cultured and worldly‐wise person that accomplishes and attains in society certainly not weakness and humility

b Never mind says the world that ldquoHe grew up before Himrdquo that is lived a life pleasing to His Father The fact that this Jesus declared ldquoMy food is to do the will of Him that sent me and to accomplish His workrdquo (John 434 cf Ps 407 Heb 107) does not count Religious devotion was only part of His weakness He also grew up in an obscure region having poor parents

3 ldquoAnd like a root out of parched groundrdquo v 2b

a Nathaniel from Cana of Galilee himself yet disparagingly remarked to Philip

concerning the Messiah coming from Nazareth ldquoCan any good thing come out of Nazarethrdquo (John 146) His environment was like the dry unyielding desert He did not appear as a prized cultivated plant in a lush botanical garden

b Jesusrsquo earthly realm was a wilderness of disregard for at Nazareth where he offered ldquothe gospel to the poor release to the captives sight to the blindrdquo yet they banded


16

together to hurl Him to His death down a cliff (Luke 416‐29) after listening to Him in their synagogue His realm was also a wilderness of unbelief even amongst His brothers and sisters They were offended so that because of their unbelief He could do no miracles (Matt 1353‐58)

4 ldquoHe has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Himrdquo v 2c

a His servant role was without glory majesty or splendor as man understands it He

was an affront to pride and arrogance Even Peter was offended and shocked by Him (John 138)

b By way of illustration in the worldrsquos eyes He did not have the right gifts as a Machiavellian Prince would employ cunning guile power ruthlessness He had no known political base or experience His image was all wrong lacking media appeal especially when crucified as a criminal

5 He has ldquono appearance that we should be attracted to Himrdquo v 2d

a As to the physical appearance of Jesus Christ the whole Bible seems to be

purposely silent Just imagine if we knew of the color of His eyes or hair This verse is not speaking about physical appearance either Rather we are told that a sick patient did not like a good doctor a hungry person did not like a good cook To man as a sinner diseased with sin the Son of God was not desirable not welcome not appealing (John 319) Man preferred a robber named Barabbas (John 1838‐40) and still does

b Why then is it that men donrsquot find Jesus Christ attractive For the same reason that a person deceives himself into believing he is well when in reality he is mortally sick and does not because of self‐deception welcome good medical advice But when a person knows that his soul is thoroughly polluted sick and in need of healing then Jesus Christ is very welcome This is what Jesus Christ himself says of His ministry in Mark 216‐17 But when sick people say they are well and blind people say they can see then Jesus Christ has no appeal Worse He offends them with the truth (John 939‐41) telling them plainly of their ldquoblind sightrdquo

6 In conclusion

a Why is Godrsquos message of salvation not believed Why is His strong arm not appreciated Why is his appearance unattractive

Because man declares that he does not need salvation He is not weak but strong in himself Man is self‐sufficient and the attractive one


17

Listen to Isaiah as he describes manrsquos continual parading of himelf He lives as if he would live forever He has made himself healthy wealthy and wise (316‐24 511‐12 20‐23)

But God has a different diagnosis Manrsquos health is a delusion and in fact he is mortally ill through and through more than any other common animal (13‐6 10‐11 520‐24)

But this divine Physician does not give up on a difficult and cantankerous patient He calls him to his senses pleading ldquoCome now and let us reason together says the Lord Though your sins be as scarlet they will be as white as snow though they are red like crimson they will be like woolrdquo (118)

b The great issue then is whether you will play doctor with yourself or seriously listen

to the true diagnosis of Jesus Christ

If you play doctor with yourself then you will flatter yourself and say that all is well even though all is not well But if you will accept Jesus Christrsquos diagnosis then suddenly instead of maligning Him you will bow before Him seeking mercy and cleansing

Accept your own estimate of yourself that you are reasonably healthy then you will mock Jesus Christ and esteem Him as maudlin a mere good man among others but certainly not the divine Savior But the day pf judgment will reveal a different assessment

But accept His verdict that you are fraudulent in your self‐assessment that in fact deep down you are diseased in your soul and in need of radical surgery then He will become the person you will esteem above all others You will be attracted to Him as with no other

D The unacceptability of the Savior v 3

ldquoHe was despised and forsaken of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and like one from whom men hid their face He was despised and we did not esteem Himrdquo 1 Introduction

a In the New Testament the opposition to Jesus Christ is seen to have three main causes especially among the religious

(1) The Jews took up stones to stone Him and said ldquoFor a good work we do not

stone You but for blasphemy and because You being a man make Yourself out to be Godrdquo (John 1033)


18

(2) The Pharisees were also enraged that Jesus Christ claimed sovereignty over the Sabbath so that they plotted to destroy Him (Matt 121‐14)

(3) But further Jesus Christ was an uncultured Nazarene a carpenterrsquos son whose

company was fishermen publicans and sinners He did not parade as an aristocrat an astute politician

(a) Yet most offensive of all was the humiliating death of this unassuming

Messiah As Paul describes ldquoWe preach Christ crucified to Jews a stumbling blockrdquo (I Cor 123) a ldquoscandalous rockrdquo (σκάνδαλον skandalon) that men of this world regarded as foolish worthy of scorn

(b) So how very accurately here does Isaiah in v 3 describe this derision

some 700 years before Jesus Christ took on human flesh Its determination in prophecy does not excuse man

b We are presently focusing upon the first movement of this great prophetic

symphony It is also a sober lament about the rejection of Jesus Christ according to the greatest of Israelrsquos prophets that is delivered in the capital center of Israel

(1) The unpopularity of the gospel v 1 (2) The unattractiveness of the Savior v 2

(3) The unacceptability of the Savior v 3

(a) In v 1 we see who has shown interest in Godrsquos salvation (b) In v 2 we see why man responds in unbelief to Christ

(c) In v 3 we see how man responds in unbelief to Christ

It is not with polite distancing It is not with neutral indifference Rather it is as if Jesus Christ had an infectious disfiguring disease as if He was leprous

2 Men have turned their backs on Jesus Christ with contempt 3a

ldquoHe was despised and forsaken of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefrdquo a Since Jesus Christ was not backed by men of power and distinction they (the

JewishGentile world) gave Him the cold shoulder and attempted to boo Him off the stage with hissing so to speak ldquoThey sneer at Himrdquo (Ps 226‐8) Israel declared


19

ldquoWe do not want this man to reign over usrdquo (Luke 1914) His Nazareth friends ldquoled Him to the brow of a hill on which their city had been built in order to throw Him down the cliffrdquo (Luke 429) Even ldquoall the disciples left Him and fledrdquo (Matt 2666) cf John 656) Furthermore his own family (kinsmen) said ldquoHe has lost His sensesrdquo (Mark 320‐21 and thus ldquothey took offense ( skandaliz) at Himrdquo (Mark 63‐4)

b But Isaiah gives more reasons as to why men scorned and derided Him (1) He was a man of sorrows or trials Jesus Christ was serious minded sober not a

joke cracking man among men He was burdened down by His mission concerning sick mankind lamenting ldquoO Jerusalem Jerusalemrdquo not ldquoHail Jerusalemrdquo Even at the wedding at Cana His thoughts were centered on the cross (John 23‐4) When asked to dine at the house of Simon the Pharisee Jesus is not light‐hearted but forgives an immoral woman of her sin (Luke 736‐50 Matt 266‐13)

(2) He was a man acquainted with grief better ldquodiseaserdquo and ldquosicknessrdquo It was a cancer and scourge of the soul a plague of plagues in the heart This was the real issue here not merely the infirmities of the flesh (Isa 15‐6) His constant company was publicans and sinners (Luke 418 Matt 910‐13) His warfare against Satan and the powers of darkness was unrelenting even as it involved Peter (Matt 1621‐23)

(3) By way of illustration there was a specific tradition and statement attributed to

a Roman during Christrsquos lifetime that He was ldquooften seen weeping and never laughingrdquo3

3 Men have treated Jesus Christ as leprous as a scourge and plague v 3b

ldquoAnd like one from whom men hide their facerdquo a The theme of Christ being identified with sickness continues People react as if He

had an infectious disease and thus shy away with hands held to their faces as they would an ugly disfigured outcast leper They willfully shade the eyes of their soul from the light of His glory and grace They cast Him out of their presence They regard His holiness righteousness and purity to be a contagious disease to be avoided at all costs and so call light to be darkness (Isa 520 cf Rom 125)

b By way of illustration if you want to see Jesus Christ treated in the same way like a plague even today just mention His name and true work in a serious manner to a

3 Ibid Manton Works III p 252


20

friend or neighbor or stranger Watch as people quieten squirm withdraw or look askance thinking you to be a religious crank

When Jesus dealt with the woman caught in the act of adultery after He had written on the ground the accusers withdrew with an embarrassing silence (John 88‐9) When Jesus fed the multitude with loaves and fishes the crowd flocked after Him But shortly after when He spoke spiritually of ldquoeating His fleshrdquo and ldquodrinking His bloodrdquo they were offended and withdrew in large numbers (John 651‐66)

But how supremely tragic it still is to see even professing Christians embarrassed at Christrsquos serious presence At home He is not only the unseen guest but also the unheard of guest They claim to live in His street yet cross over to the opposite sidewalk when He is seen coming so as to avoid earnest talk about Him

c It is true to say that Jesus Christ is the loneliest Man in all of this world which He made (John 110) How much greater then is this offence when He is also a stranger to a local church (Rev 320) and so‐called believers

4 Men have treated Jesus Christ with dishonor and disesteem v 3c

ldquoHe was despised and we did not esteem Himrdquo a What a catalogue of derision and insults the Gospels present that Jesus suffered He

was called a Samaritan half‐breed demon‐possessed (John 848) He was named as an agent of Satan (Matt 1224) He was maligned as a glutton and a wine‐bibber (Matt 1119) He was regarded by the religious aristocracy as a deceiver (Matt 2762‐63) He was accused of being illegitimate by birth (John 819 41)

b Yet remember that these same accusers said many fine things about Jesus A delegation from the Pharisees declared ldquoTeacher we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth and defer to no one for You are not partial to anyrdquo (Matt 2215‐16 re paying tax to Caesar) This was simply a trap When Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss his last word to Him was ldquoMasterrdquo (Mark 1445) or Rabbi

c But manrsquos heart however sophisticated educated decorated or cultivated is fundamentally treacherous and at war with Godrsquos Son Man is not neutral toward Jesus Christ Man is not passive toward Jesus Christ Man is embarrassed about Jesus Christ but more he is offended at the thought of needing salvation So this Jesus Christ of Scripture must be done away with from our churches schools politics as if by a cross


21

5 Conclusion

a By way of illustration imagine that quite by chance you suddenly face a mirror and for a fleeting moment without recognizing yourself you are repulsed by what you see You see more of a stranger than yourself Then you awake and say to yourself ldquoBut wait a minute Those features which I dislike are in fact merdquo Could I in a similar way be offended with a stranger only to find out that what troubled me was not actually the stranger but myself After all He (Christ) was ldquomade sin on our behalf (II Cor 521 Could it be that when I look at Jesus Christ as that stranger so mauled bloodied and made repulsive what really offends me is the reflection of my ugly self in His sorrowful and grief‐stricken condition Is His supposed disease really my disease In vs 4‐5 we have this astonishing revelation

b The seeming leprosy of Jesus Christ which so offends me must be attributed to my leprous state It was our griefs (sickness) and sorrows that He bore It was our afflictions (pains) that He endured It was our iniquities that He suffered for It was our leprosy that He identified with In other words so much of what we find offensive in Jesus Christ is in fact our own offensiveness

c What then is your problem when you look critically resentfully at Jesus Christ It is

our own state and sickness Jesus Christ was ldquoholy innocent undefiledrdquo (Heb 726) Jesus Christ ldquocommitted no sin nor was any deceit found in His mouthrdquo (I Pet 222) He is the goodthe beautiful Shepherdrdquo (John 1011) He is like an [innocent] lamb that is led to slaughter (Isa 537) He had done ldquono violence nor was there any deceit in His mouthrdquo (Isa 539) He is ldquothe Righteous Onerdquo who has come to ldquobear their iniquitiesrdquo (Isa 5311)

d Jesus Christ says then ldquoLet your leprosy your sin be offloaded onto Me and I will

lay My righteousness on yourdquo So you will be acquitted before God Jesus Christ takes a diseased heart and implants a clean heart Never was there better surgery than this for the sick soul Never was the human problem made so clear by reflection and never was a more effectual remedy offered as a substitute by this Leprosy Bearer


22

IV THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST 534‐9

A The necessity of the atonement of Jesus Christ vs 4‐6

When you talk about the truth of biblical Christianity one sure way of gaining a strong reaction is to move from telling about the historical facts concerning Jesus Christ to the interpretation and purpose of those same facts from simply relating facts to the personal application of those facts

You may quite accurately describe the grim and glorious details of Jesus Christrsquos death burial and resurrection according to the Gospel accounts But it is the reason for these events that causes men to stir and be troubled Even liberal theologians speak quite freely about Gospel events and acts but then the meaning of these matters is lumped together under the inclusive and somewhat academic title of ldquotheories of the atonementrdquo

Many scholars and laymen today are happy to consider the Gospel accounts and yet reject Paulrsquos writings as merely his rabbinic interpretation and opinion They want to interpret the facts for themselves and reject Godrsquos interpretation In I Corinthians 151‐5 Paul declares the facts of the Gospel to be that ldquoJesus Christ died was buried was raised that He appearedrdquo Now this is interesting even quite astonishing but it is the purpose of these facts that causes our pulse to quicken our soul to strongly react It was because of ldquoour sinsrdquo our terminal mortal spiritual disease that these historic events occurred

So in our study of Isaiah 531‐3 thus far we have come to a similar point In the first movement of this great gospel symphony we have mostly considered the facts about Jesus Christrsquos earthly ministry and consequent rejection Up to this point we only have the unhappy and supernatural facts and nothing more So we ought to go further and ask what they mean Why was Jesus Christ treated as a leper Why did we so despise and loathe Him So the answers follow in vs 4‐6

1 Jesus died because of the epidemic of our sins v 4

2 Jesus died because of the necessary satisfaction of our sins v 5

3 Jesus died because of the estrangement of our sins v 6

Hence we are now faced in v 4 with one of the greatest questions that any man or woman can ask and that is specifically ldquoWhy did Jesus Christ submit to death on a Roman cross just under 2000 years ago Once again we are really asking ourselves what is the true gospel according to the Holy Scriptures We are searching for the ldquocenter of gravityrdquo of true biblical Christianity And in Isaiah 534 we come to the end of our search insofar as the Old Testament is concerned


23

1 Because of the epidemic of our sins v 4

One of the most tense and dramatic scenes in the Old Testament involves David where in II Samuel 121‐14 he is described as standing before Nathan the prophet This man of God graphically illustrates the great injustice that a covetous rich man perpetrates upon a poor man who owns only one little ewe lamb In the midst of Davidrsquos righteous indignation Nathan pierces Davidrsquos heart by declaring ldquoThou art the manrdquo

Suddenly David is transfixed and turns pallid in becoming starkly aware of his own enormous guilt to which he had been so totally blind While he had looked at the sin of another from a comfortable distance now he saw the awful chilling reality of his own sin close up Notice how the first person singular predominates in Psalm 513‐5 7

Likewise in Isaiah 531‐3 we have seen the disease sorrow pain ugliness meanness and alleged criminality of another and so we are ready to respond indignantly against him v 3b But then in vs 4‐6 we are suddenly shocked to discover that this foulness which we saw in another is in fact our own foulness graciously born by the Son of God We are immediately speechless struck dumb bowed down to the dust a Here was proclaimed the saving personal substitution of God the Son v 4a

ldquoSurely our griefs [sicknesses] He himself bore and our sorrows [pains] He carriedrdquo (1) Salvation through substitution for our soul sickness

So ldquosurely [certainty]rdquo here like Nathan addressing David awakens us from our remote cool observation

It is as if we visited a diseased friend and while inwardly being repulsed by the obvious symptoms are also told that we are responsible for passing on the disease because we also have the disease If it were true we would be speechless with guilt

It would be like visiting a leper colony only to be told after pitifully looking upon the crippled and disfigured that we also had symptoms of the dreaded disease

It would be like a doctor being so familiar with disease and often talking about it who distances himself from emotional involvement with his patientrsquos illness who yet is eventually told that he also has the same disease as his patient

The shame the dishonor the hatred that Jesus Christ bore was due to ldquomy griefs my sorrows my transgressions my iniquitiesrdquo vs 4‐5 and not those of someone else The sufferings that were laid on Jesus Christ were not merely the


24

remote symptoms of human failure the result of what other men did the wicked world out there somewhere but because of my own sinful soul

We cannot wash our hands clean so to speak as Pilate attempted to do so as to vainly escape our personal guilt in Christrsquos suffering by declaring ldquoI am innocent of this manrsquos bloodrdquo We can no longer pose as being morally healthy and condemn another even the Son of God when in fact it is our own hideous infection that He bares (a) So Isaiah continues to use the picture of a dreaded disease ldquoour griefs

[sicknesses]rdquoprobably leprosy which in fact describes our spiritual leprosy which the Savior bore

ldquoSurely our sicknesses He himself bore and our pains He carriedrdquo At the same time ldquoHe was stricken smitten afflictedrdquo Here then is a reflection of manrsquos condition as God perceives it Man is sick with sin infected from head to foot mortally ill (Isa 15‐6) The same point is made by Paul in Romans 310‐18 where he pictures all men vs 10‐12 and the whole of man his throat tongue lips mouth feet vs 13‐18 as being thoroughly infected with sin so that ldquoboth Jews and Greeks are all under sinrdquo v 9 that is ruled governed and totally dominated by it

And further history adds proof that not only are we individually smitten with this mortal disease but also racially as well being all children of Adam (Rom 512 19) Surely in the last 108 years of the twentieth and twenty‐first centuries we have seen wickedness that would make even a Manasseh or a Herod or a Nero blush Then what is our need at this hour The social sciences do not have the solution Advanced medical technology does not have the answer Rather it is more diagnostic spiritual physicians even as Isaiah and Paul and supremely the Lord Jesus Christ the only effective surgeon

(b) Jesus Christ did not come to tell us that all is well with our souls Quite the opposite he does not palliate our symptoms and give false assurance To those who claim to see He has come to show their blindness To those who claim to know He shows their ignorance To those who boast in living He reveals their deadness To those claiming health He shows their sickness But to those who then confess their blindness ignorance deadness and sickness He declares that it is for them He has come to save

By way of illustration several years ago I heard on a radio station excerpts from a book titled ldquoLast Days At Dachaurdquo concerning the infamous concentration camp It included an interview with a guard at


25

what is now a sordid tourist attraction This German guard was asked how he felt about such a horror and replied ldquoWell of course that was the work of a past generationrdquo How blind we are to sin and escapist concerning our complicity

Our only hope is to come to the revealing and healing ldquoLight of the worldrdquo (John 812) Jesus Christ But why did He come Because of His yielding to His Fatherrsquos will to come and save the spiritually diseased (John 816 26 29 38 42) John 316 tells us about this divine vocation as does the second half of Isaiah 534 cf v 10

(1) Salvation through substitution appropriated through faith In daily life have you ever been indebted to a person of means who in knowing of your inability and sorrow at not being able to make the agreed payments provided you with a piece of paper that reads ldquoPaid in fullrdquo In enquiring as to how this was possible you were then told ldquoWhy my son worked to make the payment for you He then gave me the full amount so that you are now absolved of any guiltrdquo So here justice and mercy kiss one another (Ps 8510 Hab 32) (a) John the Baptist understood this substitution ldquoBehold the Lamb of God

who takes away [lifts away] the sin of the worldrdquo (John 129)

(b) John Mark author of the second gospel plainly writes of the Son of Man who ldquodid not come to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom forin the place of [ἀντίanti] manyrdquo (Mark 1045

(c) Peter understood this substitution by telling us ldquoHe [Christ] Himself bore our sins in His body on the crossrdquo (I Pet 224 318)

(d) Paul understood this substitution for he writes ldquoYou know the grace of

our Lord Jesus that though He was rich yet for your sake He became poor that you through His poverty might become richrdquo (II Cor 89)

(d) Friends our choice is simple Either we deal with our sins ourselves or

else another who is qualified and acceptable to the God we have offended deals with them for us

(e) Can you honestly say that you can deal with your sins before Almighty

God unassisted Can you atone for your sins Can a leper cure himself of his leprosy Salvation by substitution especially objectionable to


26

liberalism is really salvation by pure grace I confess I cannot save myself and at the same time confess the necessity of someone else saving me

(f) In civil law we think it best to obtain a qualified lawyer to plead our case

Being unqualified it is regarded as arrogant foolishness for us to make our own defense How much more so before God

(g) But Scripture tells of a qualified Lawyer who will pay for the punishment

of our sins He is ldquoan Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteousrdquo (I John 21) As Philipp Bliss wrote

Bearing shame and scoffing rude In my place condemned He stood

Sealed my pardon with His blood Hallelujah What a Savior

b Here was proclaimed the sovereign propitiation of God the Father v 4b

ldquoYet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken smitten [struck down] of God and afflictedrdquo (1) Salvation through substitution that is sovereign

The ultimate problem with sin is as David well understood (Psa 514) that it has offended the only living God of perfect holiness not simply man on a horizontal level So He alone can bring about just reconciliation concerning manrsquos estrangement as Jobrsquos friends Zophar and Elihu well understood (Job 117 3723) And this He has done in a most glorious way (a) We are rightly led to believe that sinful men crucified Jesus Christ and

this was also with full accountability yet according to Godrsquos sovereign plan (Acts 223‐24 427‐28)

(b) So here Jesus Christ was ldquosmitten of Godrdquo vs 4 6 10 The cross of Jesus Christ was not something that man independently shamefully accomplished even according to Godrsquos permission Rather it was Godrsquos predetermined plan His appointed way of saving the sick the blind the lame the foolish and the leprous (cf Gen 5020)

(c) His salvation blueprint established that He would deliver sinners by

means of substitution However it was to be a vicarious substitution whereby the one offended would Himself provide a substitute (Isa 14 524) The offended God would Himself provide a substitute from His


27

very own being So He strikes His Son in place of striking you and me He satisfies the demands of His own perfect justice through the sacrifice of His Son while at the same time enabling the gracious pardoning of the believing sinner So ldquoMy Servant will justify the many as He will bear their iniquitiesrdquo vs 11 5 So God proves to be both ldquojust and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesusrdquo (Rom 326 cf I John 19)

(2) Salvation through substitution that is propitiatory

Why did God the Father ldquostrike smite and afflictrdquo v 4 His only beloved Son Why was the Lord ldquopleased to crush Him putting Him to griefrdquo vs 10 We agree with Charles Wesley when he writes

lsquoTis mystery all the Immortal dies Who can explore His strange design

Yet one crucial word in the New Testament does enlighten us at this point It is ldquopropitiation ἱλαστήριονrdquo (Rom 325 cf Heb 217 I John 22 410) In essence it means that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ cooledsatisfied the holy wrath of God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit His righteous anger on account of manrsquos sin and rebellion was turned to peace (Eph 217 Col 120) through His willing offering of His Son who Himself was equally willing God as our enemy becomes our friend and Father (Gal 43‐7) through righteous just reconciliation

The God of Abraham praise whose all sufficient grace Shall guide me all my happy days in all my ways He calls a worm His friend He calls Himself my God And He shall save me to the end throrsquo Jesusrsquo blood

2 Because of the satisfaction of our sin v 5

There is an epidemic of concern today for good bodily health that borders on fanaticism But notice how exclusively concerned this movement is with the well‐being of the flesh and not the health of the soul We are zealous for low blood pressure low cholesterol a good pulse rate low fat diets a smooth complexion tight abdominals and a right balance of vitamins and minerals There is ever‐increasing interest in jogging cycling tennis swimming body‐building walking aerobics etc Now while Paul declares that ldquobodily discipline is only of little profit but godliness is profitable for all thingsrdquo (I Tim 49) yet the world propounds that bodily health is everything and the health of the soul is of little consequence

However how differently the Bible presents the believerrsquos priority of care for the soul over the body (Matt 1028 Mark 836) Spiritual vitamins are to be digested as we


28

devour the Word of God (Prov 420‐22) Spiritual exercise is to involve the vigorous use of our gifts the walk of faith the discipline of training the desire for godly excellence (I Cor 925‐27) Spiritual fellowship is to result in the building up of the body of Christ the local church (Eph 411‐16)

Notice also in the related field of physical healing how more preoccupied we are with the restoration of the flesh than with the healing of the soul Having transplanted limbs kidneys livers and hearts now there is talk of eye and brain transplants Man boasts that cancer and the common cold will be defeated if enough research is employed Recently I saw that they are now fitting horses with contact lenses But again how deafening is manrsquos silence when the subject of the healing of manrsquos soul is concerned He lives in the realm of the flesh the senses this temporary shell while his immortal soul corrodes rots decays and perishes

But how more tragic it is to see even professing Christians drinking in this priority of the health of the flesh while their soulrsquos shrivel and starve through spiritual sickness and neglect When many Christians talk about healing they assume the cure of the body and many ministries are built upon this emphasis and great is the multitude that follows Some strongly imply that the physically healthy Christian is consequently spiritually healthy while the physically sick Christian lacks faith This is the philosophy of Jobrsquos comforters

What is the great justification for this belief It is that since there is physical healing in the atonement of Jesus Christ it follows that our flesh can be perfectly whole now instantly What is the primary scriptural justification for this doctrine Most often it is Isaiah 535 since there we are told ldquoand by His [Jesus Christrsquos] scourging [stripes] we are healedrdquo Just take it by faith But what does this verse really sayrdquo And what of the New Testament references of Matt 816‐17 I Peter 224 Is Isaiah here principally concerned with physical healing We would emphatically assert ldquoNordquo and believe that the context makes this very clear a The context of the overall purpose of the Messiah in Isaiah 52‐53

The connection here with v 4 is close There Messiah bore our grief and sorrow for which He was smittenlashed and afflicted by the hand of the Father Now in v 5 Messiah was pierced and crushed for our transgres‐sions and iniquities this in fact being the Fatherrsquos chastening and scourging so that ldquopeacespiritual healthrdquo and ldquospiritual healingrdquo might result

Hence to consider verse 5 as a whole it becomes plain that Isaiah is chiefly concerned about the healing of souls and not the body Indeed this is the sole concern in what follows vs 6 11‐12 Messiahrsquos ministry is essentially concerned with the spiritual leprosy of mankind in all of its ugliness and mortality Physical


29

healing as we shall later see is certainly guaranteed to all who experience spiritual healing yet it is a subsidiary matter as Isaiah makes so clear

b The context and structure of Hebrew parallelism

To be more fully persuaded about Isaiahrsquos priority here there is one basic truth about Hebrew Scripture that will help us It concerns the poetic character of Hebrew it not being rhyme or meter but parallelism4 (1) Synonymous parallelism (Ps 21 31 151) The two lines present synonymous

truth

(2) Antithetical parallelism (Ps 16 404 446‐7 Is 118) The two lines present antithetical truth

(3) Climactic parallelism a development of synonymous parallelism (Ps 967) The

second line adds completion to some truth in the first line

(4) Synthetic parallelism a refinement of synonymous parallelism (Ps 953 6 Is 51) The second line develops some truth of the first line

(5) Emblematic parallelism (Ps 421 522) A physical earthly figure of speech in the

first line is explained in the second line

Hence notice in Isaiah 535 that we have synonymous parallelism in the first two lines and synthetic parallelism in the next two lines totaling four lines In the first two lines Messiah is ldquopiercedcrushedrdquo for ldquoour transgressionsiniquities In the second two lines Messiahrsquos chasteningscourging was for our ldquopeacewellbeingrdquo being parallel with being ldquohealedrdquo Clearly this ldquohealingrdquo is with regard to ldquopeacewellbeingrdquo that is provided chiefly for diseased souls specifically in the place of ldquotransgressionsrdquo and ldquoiniquitiesrdquo of the first two lines

c The context of healing in Isaiah generally

In numerous places in Isaiah there is reference to disease and sickness within the nation of Israel However it is abundantly clear that the main concern of the prophet is unholiness before the Holy One of Israel not physical healing Whereas today in many Christian congregations the repeated emphasis is upon physical healing not the healing of the soul

4 The following categories of parallelism are taken from Ronald Barclay Allen Praise A Matter of Life and Breath

pp 50‐54


30

(1) Isaiah 14‐6 The language is very physical here concerning extreme bodily ailments that need massaging oil applied and bandaging But the prophet is really addressing Israel as a ldquosinfulevilcorruptGod‐despisingrebellious nationrdquo Its necessary healing is described in vs 16‐20

(2) Isaiah 69‐10 Here Israel is described as being in need of healing having intractable heart disease deafness and blindness But the recommended healing is not physical therapy but spiritual soul‐awakening leading to a repentant turning to the Lord

(3) Isaiah 3026 Here Israel is described as wounded and battered because of the

Lordrsquos discipline But there comes ldquothe day the Lord binds up the fracture of His people and heals the bruise He has inflictedrdquo The physical language here describes spiritual disability and spiritual surgery

(4) Isaiah 5717‐21 Here rebellious iniquitous and indulgent Israel the object of

Godrsquos anger is yet twice told that ldquoI will heal himrdquo that is bring about ldquocomfortrdquo and ldquopeacerdquo Again the restoration here is principally that of the soul not the body in its relationship with God

(5) Isaiah 611‐3 cf Luke 416‐21 This great messianic prophecy is fulfilled by the

Lord Jesus Christ when He stands up in the synagogue at Nazareth reads part of this passage from Isaiah and declares it to be fulfilled in Himself Who are the ldquopoorrdquo and the ldquocaptivesrdquo and the ldquoblindrdquo and the ldquooppressedrdquo that He preaches the gospel to They are especially the spiritually destitute of Israel and not simply those lacking material welfare that a socialist society would provide

In v 3 we are also told that this Son of God provides ldquoa garland [a crown] instead of ashesrdquo ldquothe oil of gladness [joy] for mourningrdquo ldquothe mantle [garment] of praise instead of a spirit of fainting [a weak spirit]rdquo the result being that they will be called ldquooaks of righteousness the planting of the Lord that He may be glorifiedrdquo Yet again the therapy here of the ldquobrokenheartedrdquo being ldquobound uprdquo is essentially the healing of the root and core of a person by means of the gospel It is through this gospel that the unrighteousness of man is replaced with the righteousness of God (cf 6021 Jer 177‐8) This is the healing that the Lord Jesus Christ provides It primarily deals with our souls and will ultimately bring about the redemption of our bodies

d The application to physical healing in Matthew 814‐17

Those who claim that there is healing in the atonement of Jesus Christ not only appeal to Isaiah 534‐5 but also here to Jesusrsquo healing of Peterrsquos mother‐in‐law the


31

demon‐possessed and others with a variety of illnesses Here Matthew specifically describes this ministry as fulfillment of Isaiah 534 So today it is claimed that through faith in Jesusrsquo Christrsquos atonement the same sort of immediate healing is available Again we remind ourselves that Isaiah 535 in its immediate and broad context is specifically describing the healing of sinful wicked disobedient unholy souls So how is this seeming conflict resolved (1) Here out of sovereign compassion Jesus ldquohealed all who were ill v 16 But

also ask yourself where were all of these people when Jesus was on trial before Pilate and subsequently crucified Consider the wider multitude of those healed during Jesusrsquo earthly ministry Where were they They were nowhere to be found The reason is that while many had received physical healing it was not necessarily accompanied with the healing of the soul

(2) So here those healed and exorcised of demonic spirits received healed emancipated bodies even though their souls were not necessarily healed and truly converted They were like those who ate of the multiplied loaves and fishes on two occasions and appreciated the taste of Jesusrsquo material menu yet their souls were not fed through faith in Him as Lord and Savior with the bread of life They even wanted a repeat performance an ongoing meal ticket (John 634‐36 66)

(3) But further the atonement had not been accomplished at this stage Hence

what happened here was an application or illustration of the real healing that was yet to be accomplished As Isaiah 533‐4 used leprosy as a picture of the human predicament here human sickness signifies that which the atonement would accomplish in human souls The ldquofulfillmentrdquo here was at best illustrative of Jesusrsquo earthly healing ministry yet incomplete (cf Matt 215 cf Hos 111) It was the same with the apostlesrsquo inaugural ministry that included healing yet focused on the healing of the soul There is no justification here for the phony healing lines of today that at best ldquohealrdquo symptomatically not organically

e The application to spiritual healing in I Peter 221‐24

Here Peter addresses Christians concerning the ramifications of the truth that ldquoChrist also suffered for yourdquo v 21a Thus the child of God is ldquoto follow in His stepsrdquo v 21b by means of non‐retaliation in the face of threats and reviling from enemies Rather he is to submit to Godrsquos righteous dealing with these trials vs 22‐23 So this life of yielding should be evidenced by ldquoliving to righteousnessrdquo because of the fundamental gospel principle that ldquoby His wounds you were healedrdquo v 24


32

(1) In Peter quoting Isaiah 534‐5 what is the sickness that calls forth for healing It is plainly ldquoour sinsrdquo What is the cure It is the cross of Christ that provides righteousness for our unrighteousness Manrsquos fundamental disease is sickness in his unholy soul due to infection by thorough blood poisoning the heart has become a polluted fountain deeply cancerous spiritually leprous deathly cold so that only the Surgeon of souls can heal such a mortal condition (Matt 912‐13)

(2) Those who major on the healing of the flesh merely eliminate symptomatic pain at the neglect of the pervasive disease of the soul They are like the doctor who only injects morphine to alleviate symptoms but does not address the root cause of his patientrsquos sickness that is deep within But further they demean the glory of the gospel as the ground of all healing Belief in Jesus is simply an entrance gate into the world of physical healing and material blessing

(3) Godrsquos healing starts with the most important issue the healing of the center of a manrsquos being his distinctive immortal soul its cleansing its transformation by saving righteousness that leads to metamorphosis regeneration unto righteousness and a renewed mind But does not God heal today Sometimes yes (Jas 513‐15) but not always Even every faith healer dies However the true child of Godrsquos prime interest will always be Christrsquos power in his life evident grace that triumphs over earthly impediments (II Cor 129)

f Is there healing in the atonement of Jesus Christ

(1) Does every true Christian have good reason to hope in perfect health ldquoYesrdquo

most emphatically But if you mean perfect health in this life the answer is ldquonordquo The older you get the more you will understand here Our great problem as children of God is impatience The greatest faith in all the world will not obtain for you a resurrection body before Godrsquos appointed time We ldquowait eagerly for the redemption of our bodiesrdquo (Rom 823)

So for the patient Christian Paul tells us that a time is coming when ldquothis perishable must put on the imperishable and this mortal must put on immortalityrdquo (I Cor 1553) He tells the Thessalonians that they will be entirely sanctified ldquoSpirit and soul and body [will] be preserved complete without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ God will bring it to passrdquo (I Thess 523‐24) John tells us in Revelation 223 that there shall in the future no longer be any curse In Revelation 214 he further reveals that there shall no


33

longer be tears death mourning crying pain Remember even Christian mothers are not especially exempt from pain at child‐birth

(2) Does every Christian have good reason to hope in perfect health ldquoYesrdquo most emphatically

But supremely this healing is from unholiness to holiness from unrighteousness to righteousness It is one thing to desire healing that will make me comfortable but quite another to desire fitness whereby I may acceptably please God and serve Jesus Christ

By way of illustration in Portland Oregon Ann nursed a wealthy man who tried faith healing so that he could return to his extravagant lifestyle On one occasion Jesus healed ten lepers yet only one took the time to thank Him (Luke 1711‐19) For the nine as with many today Jesus was simply a healing utility

But the true seeker after Godrsquos healing wants the very health of God Himself in appetite in heart and mind ldquoDo not be wise in your own eyes fear the Lord and turn away from evil It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bonesrdquo (Prov 37‐8) How do I obtain this real soul health By coming to Jesus Christ for ldquoby His stripes we are healedrdquo So here Peter goes on to say that the great healing will be our ldquodying to sin and living unto righteousnessrdquo (I Pet 224)

3 Because of the estrangement of our sins v 6

If the Bible teaches one primary truth it is that manrsquos fundamental relationship is with God and that the role of sin is to utterly rend and shatter this bond of fellowship The essence of sin is not the conflict that comes between man and man as real as it is but the separation that comes between God and man In the Garden of Eden the first argument was not between Adam and Eve or Cain and Abel but between God and man It was when God called out ldquoWhere are you Adamrdquo (Gen 39)

Likewise Isaiah 592 tells us ldquoBut your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hearrdquo (cf Isa 115) From a positive perspective Jesus Christ declared that the primary commandment is ldquoYou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strengthrdquo (Mark 1230‐31) The primary sin then is to neglect this command Psalm 21‐3 tells us that the conflict of the ages is between God and man ldquoThe kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointedrdquo


34

But more to the point within each individual human breast the great struggle and conflict is not between even the soul or spirit and the flesh nor the mind with its conscience but between the soul and the reign of the righteousness of God And our study of the atonement of Jesus Christ only makes this point all the more plain The shed blood of Christ is supremely for the reconciliation of man with God (II Cor 519) Now look at Isaiah 536 and notice this very same truth a Manrsquos sheepish activity is to move away from God v 6a

A better translation here would be ldquoAll of us like a flock of sheep have gone astray [from the path of the righteousness of God]rdquo There is also a solidarity in this rebellion of humanity that does not admit exceptions (1) There is no flattery of the human race in this illustration

The point is not that man is harmless passive unaggressive innocent like a cuddly puppy Nor is man described as a fox (cunning) a lion (courageous) a crow (perceptive) an owl (wise) but as a foolish stupid sheep

Sheep wander and stray they are easily snared Sheep become lost and cannot find their way home Sheep disregard their shepherd and are easily beguiled Sheep run with the crowd and the popular tide in a company of fools Sheep cannot save and defend themselves

(2) Man is also like the prodigal son he has grown tired of the home of his father he wants to move out from His restrictive confinement

Man wants to be autonomous a law unto himself apart from the stifling repressive law of God Man wants to be like Jonah and catch a ship that will take him far away from the call and vocation of God Man wants to separate himself from talk about God and those who fellowship with God even reflections and reminders of God

Man is exactly like his father Adam for when God sought fellowship with him he confessed ldquoI hid myselfrdquo (Gen 310) Why have all of us ldquolike a flock of sheep gone astrayrdquo Because we selfishly with premeditation choose to because we prefer our guilty nakedness in the pig‐pen because we dislike Godrsquos holy presence because we ldquolove darkness rather than lightrdquo (John 319)

b Manrsquos sheepish activity is to move toward himself v 6b

ldquoEach of us [every member of the flock of Israel yet also humanity as a whole] has turned to his own wayrdquo But exactly what is ldquomy own wayrdquo Note the intentional


35

lack of specifics here If we were told that we all have turned to drink stealing sex gambling perhaps we would rightly claim innocence a way out

But what we can say of the wretched derelict and prisoner as well as the socially respectable neighbor is that they both have lived for self Both have turned to their own way according to deliberate choice both have turned from God whatever their esteemed lifestyle may be (1) Man wants to leave God so that he can play God undisturbed

We want our unchallenged independence or autonomy We complain ldquoI want to live my life the way I choose I donrsquot want God to boss me around and interfererdquo Of course this is absolutely antithetical to the very purpose for which man was created

Man is like Pharaoh who when challenged by Moses with the command of God ldquoLet My people gordquo replied ldquoWho then is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go I do not know the Lord and besides I will not let Israel gordquo (Exod 52)

Romans 87 tells us of this enmity this soul rebellion ldquoFor the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God for it does not subject itself to the law of God for it is not even able to do sordquo My own way is the course along which I am driven by my sinful nature

(2) ldquoMy own wayrdquo is my own man‐centered indulgence for manrsquos glory

It is the way of my ambition in this world to attain to accomplish to gain recognition to indulge other than for the glory of God

It is the way of pursuing physical rather than spiritual enhancement and godly transformation

It is the way of giving priority to my earthly relationships rather than citizenship in the kingdom of God

It is the way of being accountable only to myself of pleasing myself of bowing only to myself

It is the way of living for the present of ignoring the lessons of the past and shutting onersquos eye to the future

It is the ldquoway which seems right to a manrdquo as Solomon writes ldquobut its end is the way of deathrdquo (Prov 1412)


36

c Godrsquos shepherding activity is to move toward fleeing man v 6c ldquoBut the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Himrdquo (1) How the first three words here ldquoBut the Lordrdquo present a striking contrast

From manrsquos activity that is only self‐absortion we move to Godrsquos saving activity that rescues and delivers

We are reminded of Paulrsquos ldquoBut nowrdquo (Rom 321) his ldquoBut Godrdquo (Eph 24) which make similar contrasts between manrsquos lost and dead and impotent condition and Godrsquos sovereign saving intervention that is intent on redeeming and raising up to newness of life

While man runs away God pursues while man abhors God loves (Rom 58 I John 419 Gal 115‐16 Luke 1910) Here the grace of God is truly displayed His love and mercy are directed towards the rebel and mutineer not the indifferent and neutral

(2) The gospel here is described totally in terms of Godrsquos intention Godrsquos activity Godrsquos gracious purpose Godrsquos active plan in conjunction with His willing Son or as the NASB translates ldquoGodrsquos causation

The thought of man even in some small way seeking out God is utterly foreign here Sheep do not save sheep So in Luke 153‐7 the saving of the lost sheep is wholly the shepherdrsquos work from start to finish

Likewise in Romans 321 (cf Gal 44 Eph 24‐6 John 1017‐18 36 I Cor 130) the gospel is about God doing the saving Salvation is not a co‐operative agreement it is God saving sinners

(1) God saves sinners through atonement by substitution not abstract

sentimentality So ldquothe Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on His Sonrdquo Again as in v 4 it was the Father who caused our sin to fall ldquohitstrikerdquo His only begotten Son (Acts 223 42728) In other words God believes in capital punishment and man has committed capital offences So the Son agrees with the Fatherrsquos plan that he should satisfactorily bare our capital punishment for us (Heb 105‐10)

Friends when the shepherd has lost some sheep and he goes out into the mountain wilds to rescue them what is he listening for Is it not the bleating of the lost sheep crying for salvation having become caught up in hopeless entanglement It is like the groaning of the tax‐gatherer ldquoGod be merciful to me the sinnerrdquo (Luke 1813) It is like Paul on the Damascus road who having been felled to the ground cries out ldquoWho are You Lordrdquo ldquoWhat shall I do Lordrdquo (Acts 95 229) It is like the cry of the disciples in that Galilean storm ldquoSave us Lord we are perishingrdquo (Matt 825) It is like the Philippian jailor full


37

of fear crying out ldquoSirs what must I do to be savedrdquo (Acts 1630) It is like the Prodigal Son who humbled himself before his father confessing ldquoFather I have sinned against heaven and in your sight I am no longer worthy to be called your sonrdquo (Luke 1518‐19)

Would you be a Christian Would you be rescued by the Great Shepherd of the Sheep Would you be saved from your sin all of it Then confess to God that you have gone astray willfully Confess that you have turned to your own way rebelled in your heart against God Then look to and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who has come to save you

B The operation of the atonement of Jesus Christ vs 7‐9

Up to this point we have learned from several references of the sovereignty of the Father in this great work of reception In vs 4b 6b 10a 11b we have seen that Jesus Christ was crucified because it was supremely the Fatherrsquos will and plan (cf Acts 223 427‐28)

Bur what of the attitude of the Son Did he likewise perceive the work of the cross as something divinely ordained Most certainly His whole life witnesses to this fact As a twelve year old youth he confesses ldquoI must be about My Fatherrsquos businessrdquo (Luke 249) At Cana he addresses his mother ldquoWoman my hour has not yet comerdquo (John 24) At Samaria he testifies ldquoMy food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His workrdquo (John 434) Leaving Galilee for the last time Jesus announces ldquothe Son of Man must be killedrdquo so he ldquoset His face steadfastly toward Jerusalemrdquo (Luke 922 51) At the temple John the apostle explains that ldquono man laid his hand on Him because His hour had not yet comerdquo (John 730 820) At Jerusalem He declares ldquoI lay down my life No one takes it away from Merdquo (John 1017‐18) At the Upper Room Jesus announces ldquoFather the hour has comerdquo (John 171)

And now Isaiah describes this same sovereignty of the Son of God as He submits as a lamb by yielding up His life

1 Submission of Godrsquos Servant to death as a lamb v 7

That we are studying the person of the Lord Jesus Christ described in detail seven hundred years before he was born is beyond doubt for the Christian here in the light of Acts 832‐35 Philip the evangelist was led by the Spirit of God to run up to the Ethiopian Eunuch who providentially was reading Isaiah 537‐8 The Eunuch asked of whom Isaiah was speaking so that Philip ldquopreached Jesus to himrdquo v 35 Exactly what Philip preached we do not know except that the Eunuch confessed as a result ldquoI believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of Godrdquo and so he was baptized (Acts 837‐38) But the fact that Philip preached that this Son of God was also ldquoa lamb led to the slaughterrdquo yet ldquoHe did not open His mouthrdquo tells us that Philip rightly understood Isaiah


38

a The Son of God submits to affliction as willfully speechless v 7a

ldquoHe was oppressed and He was afflicted yet He did not open His mouthrdquo

Now the Gospel accounts make it plain that Jesus Christ fulfilled this detail of our prophecy exactly ((Matt 2662‐63 2712‐14) Surely it would take divine power to keep quiet (1) The question then is Why did the Son of God so patiently endure the hatred

and animosity of mankind Why did He refrain from the slightest retaliation

Many commentators rightly marvel at the patience of Jesus Christ at this point yet fail to consider why this is so The Son of God himself said that he had access to twelve legions of angels but rejected their help (Matt 2653)

But further why would Jesus Christ not be distracted or detoured from his appointed hour of suffering Satan tried but failed (Matt 48‐10) Peter tried with his sword but failed (John 1810‐11) Pilate tried and failed (Luke 2316) The chief priests the common people and the two thieves all tried but failed (Mark 1529‐32)

(2) The answer then is that undistracted Jesus kept to His fatherrsquos will

The wonderful truth is that Jesus Christ did not keep his mouth closed for nothing mere passivist virtue He was not patient just so as He could be admired as being forbearing tolerant non‐retaliatory Rather He endured a multitude of distractions so that He might finish His appointed course the plan of His Father for saving sinners More specifically He sought (a) The joy of returning to the Fatherrsquos throne and bosom having completed

His saving plan with perfect obedience vs 2 10 12 (cf John 174‐5)

(b) The joy of previously hostile sinners given to Him by His Father being reconciled to His Father and justified in His sight

(c) The joy of triumph victoriously ascending on high with redeemed captives and consequently giving gifts to these men and women (Eph 48)

(d) The joy of hearing the ldquowell donerdquo of the Father from His throne the satisfaction of pleasing Him

Consider I Peter 223‐24 Why did Jesus Christ not revile His tormentors Because He was totally committed to His Fatherrsquos plan of redemption To revileretaliate would be to oppose that plan v 23 It was because the Fatherrsquos


39

plan was that sinners might die to sin and live to righteousness With this the holy Son was in total agreement v 24

b The Son of God submits to affliction as a lamb to be slaughtered v 7b

ldquoLike a lamb that is led to slaughter and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers so He did not open His mouthrdquo

How remarkable it is to consider the way Isaiah takes the image of sheep in v 6 and now applies it to Jesus Christ Spurgeon comments ldquoIt is wonderful how compete was the interchange of positions here between Christ and his people so that what they were that he became in order that what he is they may becomerdquo Sermons vol 26 p 349

Of course the picture now is of the sheep being passive hurting none yet being hurt for others utterly accepting of its end Stephen Charnock comments ldquoFor the Son of God to be counted the vilest of men the sovereign of angels to be made lower than His creatures the Lord of heaven to become a worm of the earth for a Creator to be spurned by His creatures is an evidence of meekness not to be paralleledrdquo Works IV p 115

But again the question must be asked Why this condescension this humiliation that defies all understanding

(1) Eph 48‐10 Jesus Christ descended to this earth so that He might ascend with a host of captives No victory over the enemy of death would mean no captives snatched from the jaws of death

(2) John 138 When Peter objected to Jesus Christ washing his feet the Savior replied ldquoIf I do not wash you you have no part with merdquo In other words ldquoIf I do not die for you then you cannot belong to Me and likewise My Fatherrdquo

(3) II Cor 89 Paul likens this divine stooping to a rich man who exchanges his wealth with someone who is poverty stricken He describes it as ldquothe grace of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo Hence no substitution of life for death then perpetual poverty remains

c By way of illustration when Nehemiah was facing all sorts of opposition in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem yet he remained steadfast There were Sanballat and Tobiah physical challenges abuse scorn and even the subtlety of suggested dialogue and discussion Yet Nehemiah remained firm immovable To his enemies who persistently called for him to come down and talk he replied ldquoI am doing a great work and I cannot come downrdquo (Neh 62‐4) So the Son of God could not be distracted even though all of hellrsquos engines were opposed to him


40

d By way of application Why did the Son of God ldquopour out himself to deathrdquo So that He might be ldquonumbered with the transgressorsrdquo so that he might ldquointercede for the transgressorsrdquo v 12 and therefore to use Nehemiahrsquos words complete a ldquogreat workrdquo It was ldquonecessaryrdquo that he ldquosuffer these thingsrdquo for this is what Jesus instructed the two disciples about on the road to Emmaus (Luke 2425‐26)

The Good Shepherd will save His sheep and not fail He has great compassion for the souls of stranded sinners (John 1011) Jesus Christ has come not to hopefully save but to certainly save He did not descend to this corrupt planet to fail If you are a sinner then He has come for you you qualify No wonder the Christian loves to sing the words of Charles Wesley

Jesus lover of my soul Let me to Thy bosom fly

2 Submission of Godrsquos Servant to death for His people v 8

ldquoBy oppression and judgment He was taken away and as for His generation who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was duerdquo

For the Christian the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ is exceedingly precious and again in v 8 we are confronted with it This truth also dominates in Isaiah 534‐6 10‐12 The question is asked ldquoWho considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was duerdquo I can specifically remember where and when this truth of Christrsquos substitutionary self‐offering flooded into my soul It was illuminating liberating joyous wonderful to grasp It was the same with Christian in The Pilgrimrsquos Progress when he looked at the cross and his burden rolled from off his back Then he sang

Thus far did I come laden with my sin Nor could anyone ease the grief that I was in Until I came here What a place is this Must here be the beginning of my bliss Must here the burden fall from off my back Must here the cords that bound it to me crack Blessed Cross Blessed sepulcher Blessed rather be The Man that there was put to shame for me

When John Wesleyrsquos heart was ldquostrangely warmedrdquo at an Aldersgate Street meeting in London during May 1738 he also confessed an awakening to this truth of Christrsquos substitutionary death ldquoI felt I did trust in Christ Christ alone for salvation and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins even mine and saved me from the law of sin and deathrdquo On the other hand C H Spurgeon tells of one preacher in England whose message about Christrsquos atonement was that ldquoOur Lord did something


41

or other which in some way or other was more or less connected with our salvationrdquo But Spurgeon responds ldquoI am lost if Jesus be not my Substitute Brethren I cannot preach anything else for I know nothing elserdquo

Why is it then that Christrsquos substitutionary death has been the subject of scorn and ridicule It is not so difficult to discern Have you ever offered someone help after which there soon comes the response ldquoLet me do it my way I want to do it myself so leave me alone I can handle this problemrdquo The substitution of Jesus Christ is more than an offer of help it is sovereign rescue again to which man in his blindness and helplessness arrogantly responds ldquoLet me do it my way let me do it myselfrdquo ldquoSubstitutionrdquo is pure grace which only those who have been humbled cry out for It totally excludes human boasting and this the man and woman of this world rebel against a Christrsquos substitution is for suffering v 8a

Jesus Christ was ldquooppressedrdquo ldquojudgedrdquo and ldquocut of from the land of the living [dead in Israel]rdquo But why He was ldquooppressedrdquo for those who are oppressed He was ldquojudgedrdquo for those who justly come under judgment He was ldquocut off from the land of the livingrdquo for those who deserved to be cut off from the land of the living So Charles Wesley expresses this truth

He breaks the power of cancelled sin He sets the prisoner free His blood can make the foulest clean His blood availed for me

He who was perfectly free became captive so that the captive might become free (II Cor 89) He as the innocent One (John 1838) took the punishment of the guilty (Luke 2343) the holy for the unholy the pure for the impure ldquothe just for the unjust so that He might bring us to Godrdquo (I Pet 318) He claimed death that the ldquoliving deadrdquo in ldquothe land of the livingrdquo might not be consumed by death but rather live through Him (Rom 425 69‐11)

Who then are those who will most appreciate what Jesus Christ has suffered Those who are aware that they are imprisoned (oppressed) guilty (judged) smitten and condemned to death They alone will welcome and not deride this divine Substitute this Scapegoat offered in suffering for sufferers on the supreme day of atonement (Lev 165 7‐10 21‐22)

b Christrsquos substitution is with surprise v 8b

It seems bad enough that Messiah should suffer so but who amongst His generation in Israel ever thought it necessary that He should be actually ldquocut offrdquo that is crucified We have already seen that Jesus Christrsquos sufferings were an astonishment (5214 531) So it seemed incompre‐hensible to Israel that Messiah


42

should Himself be the supreme sin offering Christ Himself rebuked the two Emmaus disciples concerning their lack of understanding of the Scriptures (Luke 2425‐27 cf John 539) Paul expresses this wonderment in Romans 57‐8 Such active compassion is simply unheard of beyond human comprehension Again Charles Wesley is amazed at this gospel truth

And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Saviorrsquos blood

Died He for me who caused His pain For me who Him to death pursued Amazing love How can it be That Thou my God shouldst die for me

The authentic biblical gospel is wholly an unheard of wonder uniquely divine beyond human devising When true conversion takes place there is incredulity at former blindness When true conversion takes place there is a sense of wonder amazement when the eyes of the soul are opened It is then that gospel substitution becomes the most wonderful the most glorious the most emancipating the most transforming of all transactions



3 Submission of Godrsquos Servant to death in innocence v 9

ldquoHis grave was assigned with wicked men yet He was with a rich man in His death because He had done no violence nor was there any deceit in His mouthrdquo Here two explicit literal prophecies concerning the death of Messiah are so obviously fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 2744 57‐60 Mark 1527‐28 Luke 2332 39‐43) Normally Jesus would have been buried along with the two thieves in shame and ignominy However Scripture must be fulfilled a The comprehensive death of Christ v 9a

The first two lines here represent antithetical parallelism opposite perspectives that yet emphasize one fundamental truth It is that Jesus the Messiah came to identify with and save men of all stratas of life This truth flies in the face of Jewish understanding of that time and indeed today It further explains the astonishment of v 8


43

(1) Jesusrsquo atoning death was for the despicable wicked

In v 8 we were told that Jesus Christ died ldquofor the transgression of my peoplerdquo But who exactly were they In v 9 we are told more specifically about some representative opposite examples of this wickedness Jesus died before one of the thieves who continued to insult the Son of God But Jesus died for the other thief who having also insulted the Son of God (Matt 274) repented and cried out ldquoJesus remember me when You come in Your kingdomrdquo (Luke 2342) To this Jesus gave the assurance ldquoTruly I say to you today you shall be with Me in Paradiserdquo (Luke 2342) Here are represented the lost and saved the non‐elect and elect the goats and sheep the reprobate and the redeemed Here they are the more overt sinners of the world

(2) Jesusrsquo atoning death was for the esteemed rich

Now we move to the more covert sinners of the world as with the likes of learned Nicodemus So Joseph of Arimathea was a man of wealth a somewhat secret disciple of Jesus and doubtless esteemed within Jewish society So with the approval of Pilate he quickly claimed Jesusrsquo body and buried it in a tomb hewn our of rock an expensive resting place He had probably spoken with Jesus and heard him many times So some words were still wringing in his ears ldquoIt is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Godrdquo (Mark 1925) Did he know of the rich young man who was troubled when exhorted ldquoIf you wish to be complete go and sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come follow Merdquo (Matt 1921)

So Jesus Christ dies for sinners of every stripe and hue and race and sex the introvert and the extrovert the poor and wealthy the educated and unlearned for as Paul writes in Romans 322‐23 ldquoFor there is no distinction for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Godrdquo

b The qualifying innocence of Christ v 9b

The second two lines here represent synthetic parallelism in which the truth of the first line is supplemented with further details and perspective So the non‐violence of Christ is complemented with the purity and truthfulness of His speaking Implicit in what has just preceded is the question as to who is qualified to be Godrsquos acceptable sacrificial lamb and so be able to atone for the despicable wicked and the esteemed rich Here is the answer whereby Jesus of Nazareth plainly qualified

There is also the implication here concerning the sheer orneriness of mankind Upon hearing Pilatersquos assessment ldquoI find no fault in Himrdquo and the Romanrsquos


44

proposal to ldquopunishrdquo and release Him (Luke 2322) is the sinfully irrational cry of the people ldquorsquoNot this man but Barabbasrsquo Now Barabbas was a robberrdquo (John 1838‐40) So Jesus was accounted ldquowith wicked menrdquo while in reality being innocent in life and lip (1) His earthly life was without violence and deceit

Here is the reason why Jesus Christ of all people qualifies to be my substitute and Savior ldquoBecause He had done no violence nor was there any deceit in His mouthrdquo If Jesus Christ had sin then He could not be Godrsquos only begotten Son If Jesus Christ had sin then He must find a price for His own sin He would need a Savior and not be one

But what did God require of the Passover lamb for Israel in Exodus 125 It was that such a lamb be ldquounblemishedrdquo that is ldquofaultlessrdquo The temptations of Christ were proof of His impeccable nature (Matt 41‐1) Why was this holiness such a vital matter here Because God in all of His moral integrity would only accept the holy for the unholy His character required nothing less that a holy and utterly righteous sacrifice

(2) His earthly life was the only ground of human pardon

Here is the reason why it is impossible for man to save himself God will not accept manrsquos polluted ad corrupt offerings such as he vainly devises Adam and Eve offered fig leaves as a cover for their sin but they were not acceptable God had to provide ldquogarments of skinrdquo (Gen 321) skins of slain animals Cain offered ldquothe fruit of the groundrdquo but God rejected it because it was not according to His revealed will that is life offered up in death an acceptable satisfactory sacrifice (Gen 43‐7)

So today men and women attempt to dress themselves up with veneer religion and sham morality It is all ldquoleavesrdquo and of the ldquoearthrdquo Men and women today attempt to design their own offerings what they consider will be acceptable and it is all unacceptable because it is not according to Godrsquos design

As a sinner you need a qualified acceptable substitute This John the Baptist well understood when he declared Jesus Christ to be ldquothe Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the worldrdquo (John 129) Either you rate yourself as self‐sufficient in anticipation of standing before God in which you discover you are insufficient or else you are Christ‐sufficient because you know of your insufficiency


45

There was no other good enough To pay the price of sin He only could unlock the gate Of heaven and let us in


46

IV THE GLORIFICATION OF JESUS CHRIST 5310‐12

In our study here by the glorification of Jesus Christ we mean His final accomplishment His ultimate climactic attainment It is quite inadequate to simply declare that Jesus Christ lived died and bodily arose from the dead as wonderfully true as these historic facts are as well as their application to believing sinners

Rather of crucial importance is knowing why Jesus Christ lived died and arose bodily And the clear answer that Isaiah gives is for sin our sin manrsquos spiritual leprosy vs 4‐6 Further it was by means of substitution free grace vs 6 8 Further it was for the accomplishment of the Fatherrsquos will v 4b Yet beyond these divine intentions there is more much more that Christ has attained and it is this that was always the purpose within the purpose of the Father to begin with

A There is the good pleasure of the Lord v 10

ldquoBut the LORD was pleased to crush Him putting Him to grief If He would render Himself as a guilt offering He will see His offspring He will prolong His days and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His handrdquo 1 There is divine pleasure in the Son v 10a

Since ldquothe Lord was pleased to crush Him putting Him to griefrdquo we could be tempted to ask ldquoBut how could God the Father gain any pleasure out of the death of His innocent Son which He Himself purposedrdquo The translation is correct so we cannot attempt to tone down the meaning But we must consider he whole of the verse

But first remember that when Jesus Christ was crucified there is no suggestion in the Gospels that the Father indicated some intrinsic delight in the agonies of His Son Darkness covered the land for three hours (Matt 2745) Jesus Christ cried out in anguish ldquoMy God My God why have you forsaken Merdquo (Matt 2746 cf Ps 221‐3) Yet it remains clear that while men plotted the murder of Jesus Christ still the Father was the supreme overriding cause according to His ldquopredetermined planrdquo (Acts 223) ldquopredestinating purposerdquo (427‐28) And He Jesus delights in His Fatherrsquos cause Likewise Josephrsquos brothers plotted his destruction yet God was the supreme overriding cause so as ldquoto preserve many people aliverdquo (Gen 5020) God had pleasure in this outcome

To begin with God has pleasure in the obedient triumph of His Son His consecration to His Fatherrsquos will evidenced in His youth (Luke 249 52) at His baptism (Matt 317) and transfiguration (Matt 175 cf II Pet 117) during the whole of His earthly ministry (John 829) and here in Isaiah even unto death As Abraham was surely pleased with the submission of Isaac (Gen 22) so the Father here is pleased with the submission of His Son unto completion of the atonement (Phil 28‐9)


47

But further the pleasure of the Father is that in His sovereignty He is able to accomplish great and glorious ends through dark and evil circumstances yet while not being chargeable with complicity in these same circumstances So God delights in He is pleased with these results and so is pleased with the resulting glory brought to His name He delights in turning winter into summer God has satisfaction in birthpangs giving way to birth and rejoicing He delights in Jobrsquos suffering leading to greater blessing God delights when toil and labor give way to harvest He delights in Josephrsquos humiliation leading to exaltation God delights in Jesus Christrsquos humiliation leading to exaltation His toil and agony leading to harvest

2 There is divine pleasure in a resultant seed v 10b

In other words Christrsquos saving work was not in vain it was productive During passion week Jesus Christ declared to His disciples ldquotruly truly I say to you unless a grain of wheat fall into the ground and dies it remains by itself alone but if it dies it bears much fruitrdquo (John 1223‐24) Jesus Christ must be planted in the earth so that He might bring forth a harvest ldquoBut now Christ has been raised from the dead the first fruits of those who are asleeprdquo (I Cor 1520)

So Jesus Christ ldquowill see His offspring [seed]rdquo v 10b He will see His bride The new song sung in heaven tells us about this seed ldquoWorthy art Thou [O Lamb] to take the book and to break its seals for You were slain and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nationrdquo (Rev 59) Again in Revelation 79‐10 a similar chorus is heard ldquoI looked and behold a great multitude which no one could count from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues standing before the throne and before the Lamb clothed in white robes and palm branches were in their hands and they cry out with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lambrdquo

Will you be part of that praising throng Are you part of the fruit of Christrsquos labors and not your own

3 There is divine pleasure in a resultant kingdom v 10c

ldquoHe will prolong His daysrdquo that is He will reign eternally ldquoAnd He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom will have no endrdquo as Gabriel said to Mary (Luke 133) ldquoAnd the good pleasure [will] of the Lord will prosper in His handrdquo So the gospel is designed to usher in prosperity the productivity of new creatures [as part of a new species] in and by Christ (II Cor 517) That is Jesus Christ will certainly accomplish and save all that the Father gives to Him (John 637 39)

So Jesus Christ declared with sovereign confidence ldquoI will build My church [assembly] and the gates of Hades [opening to a hellish throng bursting forth] shall not overpower itrdquo (Matt 1618) However this is a kingdom utterly alien to the kingdoms of this present


48

world One day todayrsquos kingdoms shall be no more and only the kingdom of Christ shall remain Are you part of it Do you have legitimate citizenship in it Do you have pleasure in that which God delights in

B There is the resultant satisfaction of the LORD v 11

ldquoAs a result of the anguish of His soul He will see it and be satisfied by His knowledge the Righteous One My Servant will justify the many as He will bear their iniquitiesrdquo What is a pronoun Does this question disturb you because dealing with grammar is not appropriate at this time A pronoun is a word that represents a person or thing without specifying the name or thing In this verse there are eight pronouns none of which are explicitly defined and their identification is no insignificant matter So let us go through the verse and attempt to identify them ldquoAs a result of the anguish of His [Christrsquos] soul He [the LORD] will see it and be satisfied by His [according to the best Massoretic text Messiahrsquos] knowledge the Righteous One [Christ] My [the LORDrsquoS] Servant will justify the many [believing sinners] as He [Christ] will bear their [believing sinnerrsquos] iniquitiesrdquo

There are two main divisions of thought here In lines 1‐2 there is the main thought of the Lordrsquos ldquosatisfactionrdquo with His Sonrsquos ldquotoilsome laborrdquo In lines 3‐6 this ldquosatisfactionrdquo is expounded upon in termrsquos of Messiahrsquos ldquotoilsome laborrdquo that results in the justification of sinners specifically described as ldquoiniquitousrdquo 1 The LORD Jehovahrsquos satisfaction in the Holy Onersquos anguish v 11a

ldquoAs a result of the anguish of His soul He will see it and be satisfiedrdquo We have already considered the ldquopleasurerdquo of God the Father in His sovereign crushing of His Son upon a Roman cross that yet is the work of sinful mankind Jew and Gentile alike Further we saw that such pleasure focuses upon the obedience of the Son Himself even unto death His resultant seed or body of redeemed sinners and His resultant Messianic kingdom v 10

The word for ldquosatisfactionrdquo here i saba is used to describe Israelrsquos satisfaction with Godrsquos supply of food ldquoto the fullrdquo in the wilderness (Exod 168) It also describes wealthy Tyre ldquosatisfying many peoplesrdquo so that by way of parallel it ldquoenriched the kings of the earthrdquo (Ezek 2733) So here God the Father is ldquosatisfiedrdquo ldquoenrichedrdquo or ldquofulfilledrdquo with the atoning work of God the Son

When God completed the creation He declared with obvious satisfaction that ldquoit was very goodrdquo (Gen 131) Now that God has completed a new work of spiritual creation through redeption (II Cor 46) what do you think will be His response Surely it will be the declaration that it is supremely good and satisfying

So often today even amongst Christians let alone the world there is preoccupation by man because of misery within his soul with his quest for pleasure better feelings and


49

satisfaction within his soul So often he misses the essential point here being detoured by human religious plans and theories that commonly are man‐centered However what stands out here is that it is the pleasure of God what He delights in that results in true pleasure within the depths of manrsquos being (Matt 56) In other words when Godrsquos pleasure becomes our pleasure then the result is true satisfaction within the human breast Godrsquos pleasure is in the righteous gracious pardoning of sinners becoming reconciled with them and when this is brought to pass especially by means of His Son it brings about pleasure for man as does nothing else So that when the Father is pleased certainly His Son is pleased (John 829 174) So those who believe in this Son share in this divine pleasure

2 The LORD Jehovahrsquos satisfaction in the Righteous Onersquos justification v 11b

ldquoBy His [Messiahrsquos] knowledge the Righteous One [Mesiah] My Servant will justify the many as He will bear their iniquitiesrdquo What is the Messiahrsquos knowledge here There are two possibilities Is it His knowledge of Himself or knowledge that others possess after the manner of faith We opt for the subjective knowledge of Christ that which He possesses that which concerns His knowledge about His part in the plan of redemption It is surely by this knowledge that ldquothe Righteous One My Servant will justify the manyrdquo5

One of the neglected aspects of the gospel is the divine counsel that took place here between the Persons of the Trinity especially the Father and the Son It took place in eternity past (Ps 24‐9) but also during Jesus Christrsquos earthly ministry (John 174‐5) and especially during those private periods of prayer (Matt 1423)

However in the last two lines we plainly see the gospel in terms that reflect the apostolic gospel especially as recorded by Paul a The gospel of ldquojustification of sinnersrdquo

ldquoMy servant will justify the manyrdquo Here is made plain the fact that manrsquos fundamental problem in his relationship with God is moral not relational (Isa 592) In other words unrighteous man will only be reconciled to the righteous God through the satisfactory atonement of the Son of God The word ldquojustifyrdquo here in the Greek version of the Old Testament (LXX) is δικαιόω dikaioō as found in Romans 324 cf Galatians 216

b The gospel of ldquogracious substitution for sinnersrdquo

ldquoAs He will bear their iniquitiesrdquo The word ldquobearrdquo here in the Greek version of the Old Testament (LXX) is ἀναφέρω anapherō meaning ldquoto carryto lift uprdquo as

5 John Murray The Epistle To The Romans I pp 375‐383


50

found in Hebrews 928 Obviously relief from sin through Christ is intended here The means of justification of dealing justly yet graciously with sinners is described by Peter ldquoChrist also died for sins once for all the just for the unjust so that He might bring us to Godrdquo (I Pet 318) Implicit here is the truth that man is far from God only Christ brings nearness The same word for Christ ldquobearingrdquo sin is used again in v 12

Manrsquos basic problem then is his sinful nature manifesting itself in a thousand different ways The question of Bildad Jobrsquos friend still stands ldquoHow then can a man be just with God Or how can he be clean who is born of woman If even the moon has no brightness and the stars are not bright in His sight how much less man that maggot and the son of man that wormrdquo (Job 254‐6) Here manrsquos alienation the stark reality of it all is very great only Christ brings reconciliation (Ps 7327‐28 Eph 213)

C There is resultant glory appointed by the LORD v 12

ldquoTherefore I will allot Him a portion with the great and He will divide the booty with the strong because He poured out Himself to death and was numbered with the transgressors yet He Himself bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressorsrdquo

Handelrsquos Messiah concludes with a composite chorus that is really a trilogy first Worthy is the Lamb then Blessing and Honor Glory and Power and finally the Amen Chorus The Words are taken from Revelation 5 ldquoWorthy is the Lamb that was slain and has redeemed us to God by his blood to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing Blessing and honor glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Amenrdquo So our study of Isaiah 5213‐5312 ends with the same triumphant note Both in Isaiah and Revelation there is an identical emphasis upon the saving work of God the Father and God the Son

Here in v 12 that work is designed for and directed toward transgressors and sinners not the respectable nice people the learned the cultured the sophisticated the philanthropic the do‐gooders of this world So Jesus boldly said to the chief priests and elders of Israel ldquoTruly I say to you that tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before yourdquo (Matt 2131)

1 Jesus Christrsquos glory comes from the Father v 12a

Note the significance here of ldquoTherefore I [the Father] will allot Him the Son] a portion with the greatrdquo since it indicates that the promised ldquogreatnessrdquo results from Christrsquos perfect fruitful obedience to the fulfillment of the atonement But further it is conferred at the exquisite delight of the Father So Thomas Kelley has wonderfully written of this heavenly recognition that the Son coveted more than anything else


51

The head that once was crowned with thorns Is crowned with glory now A royal diadem adorns The mighty Victorrsquos brow

The highest place that heaven affords Is His is His by right The King of kings and Lord of Lords And heavenrsquos eternal light

So in Philippians 25‐8 9‐1 ldquoThereforerdquo is used to make the same distinction Glory and exaltation are bestowed by God the Father on God the Son because of flawless obedience to His will leading to ldquodeath on a crossrdquo Furthermore believers are to have ldquothe same mindrdquo here as Christ

2 Jesus Christrsquos glory is shared with His seed v 12b

ldquoAnd He will divide the booty with the strongrdquo When Jesus Christ won the victory over Satan and death with the shedding of much blood in the battle we are told that ldquoWhen He ascended on high He led captive a host of captives and gave gifts to menrdquo What were those gifts Surely they were spiritual gifts imparted to men ldquoAnd He gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christrdquo (Eph 48 11‐12)

But only those who are ldquothe strongrdquo receive ldquothe bootyrdquo that is those who are strong in faith genuinely His seed and have really identified with Him as the exalted victor Of course the redeemed are strong in Christ So Jesus prayed ldquoThe glory which You have given Me I have given to themrdquo (John 1722)

No party‐crashers will be allowed to participate in the spoils or sup at that celebration feast with Abraham Isaac and Jacob (Matt 811‐12 221‐13) Imposters who masquerade as saints will be unmasked and expelled Why Because they donrsquot understand that they are sinners and participation is only by gracious invitation

3 Jesus Christrsquos glory is shared only with sinners v 12c

ldquoBecause He poured out Himself to death and was numbered with the transgressors yet He himself bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressorsrdquo They are transgressors law breakers sinners who know this to be profoundly true so that they bemoan their illness They are ldquothe poor in spiritrdquo ldquothose who mournrdquo those who ldquohunger and thirst after righteousness ldquo(Matt 63‐4 6) They are spiritual lepers who honestly confess that they are ldquouncleanrdquo


52

They know Godrsquos stroke is due to them they confess their guilt and cry out for an intercessor a mediator before Godrsquos holy throne

Then like the Ethiopian Eunuch they gladly have Jesus preached to them and wondrously have their eyes opened to the truth that ldquoHe [this same Jesus] Himself bore the sins of many and interceded for the transgressorsrdquo (Acts 812)

Then they glory in Christ as does Isaiah and understand with astonishment how He has become the means by which ldquothe good pleasure of the Lord will prosperrdquo v 10 Now they understand why it is that to Him will be allotted ldquoa portion with the greatrdquo even in the presence of Adam Abraham Moses Elijah Paul etc So that now they sing

O Christ He is the fountain the deep sweet well of love The streams of earth Irsquove tasted more deep Irsquoll drink above There to an ocean fullness His mercy doth expand And glory glory dwelleth in Immanuelrsquos land

The Bride eyes not her garment but her dear Bridegroomrsquos face I will not gaze at glory but on my King of grace Not at the crown He giveth but on His pierced hand The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuelrsquos land

In v 1 we considered the vital question ldquoTo whom has the arm of the LORD been revealedrdquo What is the answer It is that Godrsquos saving power has been plainly revealed to us here in this study Shall we spurn it Shall we prefer a ldquomess of potagerdquo to ldquothe riches of His gracerdquo and His ldquogreat kindnessrdquo

Shall we banquet with Christ or shall we be turned away from feasting with Him because we attempted admission on our terms not His

Shall we share in His spoils or be judged by Him as a guilty captive and thus cast away as condemned enemy prisoner

1

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH 5213-5312

Pastor Barry Horner

I INTRODUCTION Without controversy amongst the prophets Isaiah is incomparably the greatest surely a prince amongst his brethren in the Old Testament As one acknowledged writer declares Isaiah was ldquothe most remarkable of the prophets he was by far the greatest writer in the Old Testament He was evidently a magnificent preacher in the Templerdquo1

A The supremacy of Isaiah in the Old Testament

Isaiah was a Jerusalem aristocrat of around 700 BC probably of royal blood who freely mixed with Jewish aristocracy Highly educated and possessing great literary skills he was an artist with words a poetic genius using a greater vocabulary than any other of the prophets

The source of Isaiahrsquos greatness was his reverent yet intimate relationship with Jehovah of Israel the only true and living God In 61‐13 his encounter with ldquothe Holy One of Israelrdquo (14) leads to his confession (65) his cleansing (66‐7) and his commissioning as a prophet (68‐13)

Tradition records that Isaiah was literally sawn in half during the evil reign of King Manasseh His name means ldquothe LORD is the source of salvationrdquo which is identical with the whole theme of the Book namely thatldquoSalvation is of the LORD [Jehovah]rdquo (cf 121‐3 527 10)

B The structure of Isaiah

For the Christian Isaiah presents us with what is sometimes called ldquothe Gospel according to Isaiahrdquo or ldquothe First Gospelrdquo Isaiah is quoted more often in the New Testament than all the other prophets combined Isaiah is in fact a miniature of the two main divisions and 66 chapters of the English Bible 1 Chapters 1‐39 reflect the 39 books of the Old Testament 2 Chapters 40‐66 reflect the 27 books of the New Testament

Virtually all scholars have acknowledged a major division between Isaiah 1‐39 and Isaiah 40‐66 Just as Isaiah 401‐3 speaks of the Forerunner John the Baptist so Matthew Mark Luke and John all similarly commence with the announcing ministry of John the Baptist

1 Paul Johnson A History of the Jews pp 74‐75


2






Nazareth











3
















4





told three things




210 15)













5






Edward Denny








6












7













grace


8











good









9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










2






Nazareth











3
















4





told three things




210 15)













5






Edward Denny








6












7













grace


8











good









9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










3
















4





told three things




210 15)













5






Edward Denny








6












7













grace


8











good









9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










4





told three things




210 15)













5






Edward Denny








6












7













grace


8











good









9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










5






Edward Denny








6












7













grace


8











good









9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










6












7













grace


8











good









9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










7













grace


8











good









9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










8











good









9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










9



10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










10


















11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










11



Him (John 110‐11 319)














12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










12





















13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










13





















conceptions


14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










14














15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










15












16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










16










6 In conclusion




17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










17















18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










18



















19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










19













20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










20











21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










21

5 Conclusion








22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










22












23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










23












24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










24









25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










25














26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










26
















27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










27











28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










28








29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










29




truth











pp 50‐54


30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










30













31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










31









32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










32









33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










33










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










34











35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










35














36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










36












37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










37










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










38















39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










39












40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










40










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










41










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










42











43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










43










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










44









45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










45



46










47










48










49











50










51











52










46










47










48










49











50










51











52










47










48










49











50










51











52










48










49











50










51











52










49











50










51











52










50










51











52










51











52










52









the gospel according - future israelfutureisraelministries.org/files/isaiah_52-53.pdf · the gospel...

Documents