Isaiah wrote hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. Yet today, we see one of the most beautiful images of what it was that Jesus did upon the cross. He was beaten, bruised, and died for our sins. He suffered for the sins of many. Today, through Jesus, our sins are forgiven. He has atoned for our sins. He has paid the price that we could not pay. We are forgiven. God’s wrath is satisfied. Never forget what God has done for us on the cross. Never forget that. We see in Isaiah, hundreds of years before Jesus, the story of exactly what it is that Jesus does for us. By His wounds, we are healed.

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Good morning, and welcome to our time together in God’s Word on this Monday morning. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and weekend, filled with joy and time spent with family and friends. As we transition from Thanksgiving to the Advent season, it’s fitting to focus on the Lordship of Jesus, especially as we celebrate Christ the King Sunday—the last week of the Church year.

To prepare our hearts for Advent and the anticipation of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, I received a thoughtful suggestion from church members. They recommended exploring messianic prophecies in the Old Testament that point to Jesus. This week, we’ll delve into various passages, examining both the Old Testament prophecy and its corresponding New Testament fulfillment.

Today, I want to begin with a broader messianic prophecy found in Isaiah 53. This chapter, often referred to as the Suffering Servant passage, provides a panoramic view of the Messiah’s mission and the profound sacrifice he would make for humanity. Although I won’t focus on a specific New Testament passage today, Isaiah 53 is so rich that it speaks volumes on its own.

Let’s explore Isaiah 53 together:

“Who has believed what we have heard, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? We grew up before him like a young plant, like a root out of the dry ground. He had no former majesty that we should look at him, and nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others, a man of suffering, acquainted with infirmity; as one from whom others hid their faces, he was despised, and we held him of no account. Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises, we are healed.”

The verses continue to describe the suffering and sacrifice of the servant, highlighting the redemptive work accomplished through his pain and obedience. The prophecy paints a vivid picture of Jesus, the Lamb of God, bearing the sins of many.

As we read Isaiah 53, it’s impossible not to recognize the clear depiction of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. The verses emphasize that the servant—Jesus—was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. This prophecy, written around 500 years before the birth of Christ, perfectly aligns with the events of the crucifixion.

Isaiah 53 underscores the magnitude of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. He bore our sins, carried our diseases, and suffered on our behalf. This passage encapsulates the essence of the gospel message—the substitutionary atonement of Jesus for our sins.

In conclusion, let us meditate on the profound truth revealed in Isaiah 53. It serves as a powerful reminder of the lengths to which Jesus went to redeem us. Your sins have been atoned for. You are forgiven. As we journey through this week, we’ll continue to explore more messianic prophecies and their fulfillment in Jesus. Thank you for joining me today, and I look forward to our continued exploration tomorrow. Have a blessed day!