Behold the Suffering Servant

Oppressed, Judged, and Cut Off
April 6, 2025
Chris Seidman, Teaching Minister, The Branch

Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:7-9 (NIV)
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Isaiah 53:8 (NIV)
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.

Isaiah 53:8 (NIV)
Yet who of his generation protested?

Isaiah 53:8 (NIV)
… he was cut off from the land of the living … .

Isaiah 53:8 (NIV)
… for the transgression of my people he was punished.

Isaiah 53:9 (NIV)
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Why is it important that we soak in Isaiah 53?

• So we’ll continue to give Him the honor He is due.

Revelation 5:11-12 (NIV)
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

• To remind us of the high expense of our salvation.

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed … but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

• To prepare us to follow in His steps, particularly when it hurts.

1 Peter 2:20-25 (NIV)
But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)
… Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 4:19, 5:4 (NIV)
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.