Old Testament Version of the Christmas Message

 

 

THE SUFFERING SERVANT

 

Isaiah 53:1-12

Key Verse: 53:5 – But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

 

      *THE POOR CHILDHOOD OF THE SUFFERING SERVANT (1,2)

 

  1. Read verse 1.  What is the message the prophet is speaking of? (Look for a clue in 52:13-15 and in John 1:29)  What does it mean that the arm of the Lord is revealed?

 

  1. What does verse 2 imply about Jesus’ birth, youth and early manhood?  What is attractive about one so unattractive?

 

     *HE WAS DESPISED AND REJECTED (3)

 

  1. Read verse 3.  What does this verse tell us about the ministry of the Messiah and about people’s response to him?  Why is it so meaningful to many people that Jesus was a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering?

 

     *THE SUFFERING SERVANT TOOK UP OUR INFIRMITIES (4-6)

 

  1. Read verses 4 and 5 and compare with 1Pet 2:22-24.  What do these verses tell us about the main point of the Messiah’s ministry?  What can we learn here about Jesus and what he did for us?

 

  1. What can we learn in verse 6 about ourselves and what the Messiah came to do for us?

 

*THE OBEDIENCE OF THE SUFFERING SERVANT (7-12)

 

  1. Look at verses 7-9.  What do these verses tell about the character of the Messiah?  How did Jesus specifically fulfill the prophecies of this passage?

 

  1. Read verses 10 and 11.  What was God’s will for his one and only Son? 

      (Jn 3:16-18; Mk 10:45)  How did Jesus fulfill this will? (Compare Heb 5:7-10).

 

*GOD EXALTED HIS SUFFERING SERVANT (12a)

 

  1. Read verse 12.  How would God exalt his servant? (See also 10,11. Compare   Php 2:6-11).

 

  1. How did Jesus fulfill the words of verse 12b.  Does God call and use other suffering servants?  Can you think of some?  What is the special joy of the suffering servant?  (10-12).