A Man of Sorrows

“The Bible in miniature and the gospel in essence.” Charles Spurgeon

Isaiah 53 Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? 2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. 3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

1. THE MESSIAH WAS FORETOLD TO IDENTIFY WITH YOUR PAIN

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

We don’t just have a standoff Savior. He understands and enters our sorrow.

Jesus would face rejection
John 1:11 “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”

Jesus would face grief
Matthew 26:38 My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.”

Jesus would face abandonment
Matthew 27:46 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathizewith our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

“The posture most natural to Him is not a pointed finger but open arms.” — Dane Ortlund

2.THE MESSIAH WAS FORETOLD TO CARRY YOUR PAIN

Isaiah 53:4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows thatweighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

Luke 2:34-35 “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

The message of the cross started in the cradle.

Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. Hewas led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

3. HE WAS FORETOLD TO HEAL YOUR PAIN

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.He wasbeaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53:6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

Psalms 34:18 NIV The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.