Christ suffering was offensive
Isaiah 53:1-3
This chapter deals exclusively with the suffering that our Lord experienced. The first three verses expresses the theme that His suffering was offensive and as a result the world has greatly miscalculated the suffering servant (Jesus) importance to them.
The world’s view of leaders are that they are individuals who are domineering, forceful, physically impressive, and who by their personal magnetism draws people to themselves. Jesus did not fit this picture.
The writer Isaiah, presents Jesus as unimportant, unprofitable, living in a poverish situation. He had no striking appearance and nothing about him attracted our attention. He asks the question in verse 1, “who has believed our report†and the implied answer is no one or very few have believed that this one was actually the “arm of the Lordâ€, a term that denotes strength.
As a result verse 3 describes our response to the suffering servant. We “despised himâ€, “hid our faces from him and esteemed him notâ€. In other word, we evaluated him and determined that he was unimportant, not deserving of our consideration of him because of his suffering.
Who could have known such a unique manifestation of God’s power, would triumph as the King of Glory?
Heb 1:1-3, reveals to us who this suffering servant really is. He is the appointed heir of all things. He is the creator of this universe. He is the possessor of deity. He is the exact representation of God the Father. He holds this universe together. He is our redeemer and He is now in a position of exaltation at the right of of the Father.
Who could have known that this suffering Saviour, would be willing to be humiliated, just for me.
As we approach this communion table, let us take time to remember and to thank God for our “so great salvationâ€.