I.       Well before Jesus came to earth prophets predicted the events of His life.

A.      His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection were set forth in detail.

B.     These prophecies were meant to prepare the world for the Messiah.

II.       Of all the messianic prophecies in the Bible this one is the clearest.

A.      It has helped earn the prophet Isaiah the title “Gospel Prophet.”

B.     The story told in the 52nd and 53rd chapters of Isaiah is of the cross of Christ and the suffering that went along with His atonement for sin.

C.     Only the gospel accounts gives a more vivid picture of the cross.

 

Text

 

I.        Stanza 1. The destiny of the suffering servant (52.13-15).

A.      He will surely suffer, even though He is God’s servant.

B.     His suffering and humiliation are to be temporary.

II.       Stanza 2. The career of the suffering servant (53.1-3).

A.      His work among men was full of disappointment.

B.     He gave up most of His worldly happiness for His ministry.

III.      Stanza 3. The agony of the suffering servant (53.4-6).

A.      From the human point of view (vs. 4).

B.     From the Divine point of view.

IV.      Stanza 4. The submission of the suffering servant (53.7-9).

A.      He was silent when on trial (Matthew 26.63; 27.12).

B.     Our sinless substitute suffered silently for sins that were not His own.

C.     His “final resting place”.