Suffering Servant (10 of 10)

The WordTherefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:11)  Voice from the Church“That ‘wondrous Cross’ reaches out its reconciling arms to encircle all worlds and beings and ages. It cost God more to hang nail-suspended on Calvary than to create ten million stellar thoroughfares. The redemptive meaning of that Cross … was erected on the green mound outside old Jerusalem, … Continue reading “Suffering Servant (10 of 10)”

Suffering Servant (9 of 10)

The WordOut of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11) Voice from the Church“But suppose when he offers himself to us, we respond that we don’t need a sin offering. Suppose we have rejected the ‘old-fashioned’ idea of sin and consider ourselves to be as worthy as the next person of the blessings of God. What then? It would be as though, after all the labor and struggle, the baby is stillborn. Then indeed, it … Continue reading “Suffering Servant (9 of 10)”

Suffering Servant (8 of 10)

The WordYet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.  (Isaiah 53:10)  Voice from the Church“What good father could wish for his son to be crushed? It is only possible if there was some unquestionably greater good to be obtained. And what greater good could possibly justify the crushing of the Servant? The answer is given in the second half of the verse. It … Continue reading “Suffering Servant (8 of 10)”

Suffering Servant (7 of 10)

The Word8By 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, stricken for the transgression of my people?  9And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:8-9)  Voice from the Church“The phrase ‘by oppression and judgment’ is two nouns presenting concomitant aspects of the same fact. The judgment was, in fact, employed as an instrument of oppression. It seemed as though … Continue reading “Suffering Servant (7 of 10)”

Suffering Servant (6 of 10)

The WordHe was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)  Voice from the Church“The men of the Bible had their school of suffering—one in silent waiting, another in prison, one in exile among mountains and caves, another in the desert. Someone has said, ‘We are wounded in order that we may learn from the great Physician how to bind up wounds and give aid. God visits us with trials in … Continue reading “Suffering Servant (6 of 10)”

Suffering Servant (5 of 10)

The WordAll we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6). Voice from the Church“This is the thrust of the whole chapter, not just that he would be despised and rejected, oppressed and afflicted, … but in particular that he would be pierced for our transgressions, that the Lord would lay on him the iniquity of us all, … that he would himself bear their iniquities.” (John R. W. Stott, 1921-2011)* ReflectionThe most logical conclusion one could draw from the sheep going astray, and everyone … Continue reading “Suffering Servant (5 of 10)”

Suffering Servant (4 of 10)

The Word4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:4-5)  Voice from the Church“Martin Luther’s beloved wife once said to her husband that she could not believe the story of Abraham and Isaac because God would never treat a son like that. ‘But Katie,’ Luther replied, ‘he did treat his Son like that.’” (R. C. Sproul, … Continue reading “Suffering Servant (4 of 10)”