The Master theme of the BiblePart 5 – the personality of the Lamb
Recap – the lamb – master theme
A rescuer would come – Genesis 3:15
A lamb required – Genesis – 4
A lamb provided – Genesis 22
A lamb is slain – Exodus 12
A lamb (goat) for atonement (of sin) – Leviticus 16
A lamb - a Person – Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
A lamb for sin – Genesis 4
A lamb for an individual – Genesis 22
A lamb for a family – Exodus 12
A lamb* for a nation – Leviticus 16
A lamb for the many – Isaiah 53
Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 – The Lamb – “HE”
Previously – Lamb referred to animal, now Lamb is a person – “he”
One of best known passages in OT
"Every Christian ought to be able to repeat it by heart" —Luther
Spurgeon called it "the Bible in miniature, the Gospel at its essence"
Keil & Delitzch – looks as if it was written beneath the cross @ Calvary
Isaiah 53 has been called the fifth gospel
Book of Isaiah – Biblical parallels
Sixty-six chapters – two distinct sections:
Chapters 1-39 – God’s judgement of southern kingdom – Judah
Chapters 40-66 – grace and salvation comes through Messiah
Bible has sixty-six books:
Thirty-nine OT – emphasis on God’s judgment & character
Twenty-seven NT – emphasis on salvation and grace
Servant Songs:
Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 53
Isaiah 53 – in the New Testament
Eighty-five times in NT:
All 4 Gospels, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, 1Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, 1Peter, 1John, Revelation
Pinnacle of Messianic prophecy in OT
Six Points:
He's a Sovereign Servant (52:13)
He's a Suffering Servant (52:14; 53:4-5, 7, 10, 12)
He's a Sinless Servant (53:9)
He's a Silent Servant (53:7)
He's a Substitutionary Servant (53:4-8, 10, 12)
He's a Saving Servant (52:15; 53:11)
Isa 52:13 NKJV Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
Jesus Christ came as Servant of God the Father
"I always do those things that please Him" (John 8:29)
“I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me”. John 6:38
“I did not come to be served but to serve and to give my life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
Behold – “look, pay attention”
Isa 52:14 NLT Many were amazed when they saw him—beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person.
Jesus Christ came as Servant to suffer for us
Suffered rejection
Suffered under Pontius Pilate – scourged, beaten, ridiculed
“behold the man!”
Stricken, Smitten by God and afflicted (53:4)
Wounded, bruised (53:5)
Oppressed, afflicted, led as a lamb to slaughter (53:7)
“it pleased the Lord to bruise Him” (53:10)
Bearing His own cross (John 19:17)
Isa 53:9 NLT He had done no wrong, and He never deceived anyone. But He was buried like a criminal; He was put in a rich man's grave.
Sinless yet died with the wicked (between 2 criminals)
Poor while on earth – buried in Joseph of A’s grave
(53:9) No violence, no deceit, committed no sin
John 8:46 – which of you can …accuse me of sin?
Luke 23:4 – I find no fault in this Man – P. Pilate
Philippians 2 – in very nature, God
Why is it important?
Isa 53:7 NKJV He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
Suffering people not usually silent
Sheep silent when sheared or slaughtered
Matthew 26:63 – but Jesus kept silent
Prophecy written in past tense (700 BC)
Has borne (vs. 4)
Was wounded (vs. 5)
A substitutionary servant (53:4-8, 10, 12)
Answers life’s most important question:
Where will I live?
What will I study?
Where will I work?
Who will I marry?
How many children?
Finances, health
Will Covid ever end?
How can a person be right with God?
How can an unrighteous person be made right with a righteous God?
How can a sinner be saved and escape eternal hell and enjoy eternal heaven?
You can – because a Servant became your Substitute!
