Jesus Christ the Righteous One, God’s Servant
The Bible is God’s special revelation to man. People know that God’s exists by the things God has made (Rom 1:19–20). Creation does not explain salvation, however. The revelation of God’s salvation is afforded to us by the Holy Spirit, in relationship to God’s Word.
The protagonist of the Bible is Jesus Christ. The eternal Son of God is ascribed with names and titles galore. Thus, for us to understand how God saves His people from their sins (Mt 1:21), we must learn of Christ.
Central to understanding the Person and work of Jesus Messiah, is His purpose in leaving the glory of heaven for the fallen world (Jn 1:14; 3:16). One is immediately taken with the suffering Servant motif. Isaiah 53 is particularly informative for our study of the “Righteous One, My servant (Is 53:11).”
The chapter demarcation is off, as the mini biography begins in Isaiah 52:13. There is elevated expectation, as for the suffering Servant, “He will be high and lifted up, and greatly exalted (Is 52:13b).” Jesus emptied Himself of the glories of heaven, for the work He would perform while incarnate, but not yet glorified. He would be exalted and glorified upon His ascension and enthronement, following His condescension (Phil 2:5–11).
There is a remarkable juxtaposition, for One who is identified as righteous, yet oppressed and afflicted (Is 53:7). He faithfully serves God, but He suffers immensely at the hands of men (Is 53:5). We must remember that Isaiah 53 was written by the prophet 700 years before Christ’s first advent. This clearly demonstrates the eternality of our God and the immutability of His predetermined plan (Acts 2:23).
The prophecy of Messiah’s earthly ordeal, which includes death, holds some stunning statements, “But the Lord was pleased to crush Him (Is 53:10a).” What happened to Jesus, being despised, and forsaken of men (Is 53:3), was God’s design and doing. He was smitten of God and afflicted (Is 53:4).
Our natural curiosity causes us to ask, why the just One has been treated by God and man, in such a way? He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth (Is 53:9). Our clue is in Isaiah 53:7, “Like a lamb that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.”
The biblical imagery of the lamb is one of helplessness. The lamb is a sacrificial animal. It was used as a substitute offering, for sins committed against the holiness and majesty of God. Christ died for us (Rom 5:6, 8), the just for the unjust (1 Pet 3:18). He was pierced through for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging, we are healed (Is 53:5).
The language of substitution is remarkable. He poured out Himself to death (Is 53:12), yet He Himself bore the sin of many. Jesus Christ was the sin bearer (Is 53:11), as He was pinned to the cursed tree. But the Lord caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him (Is 53:6).
There is nothing attractive about Jesus Christ to the natural man (Is 53:2). There is no one who seeks after God (Rom 3:11). Jesus was a hidden mystery that was being unveiled. As the dawning sun of righteousness (Mal 4:2), Jesus’ plight of suffering exposes humanity, for all we like sheep have gone astray (Is 53:6). Everyone has sinned (Rom 3:23; 5:12), having done what was right in his own eyes.
The world did away with Jesus, and in utter shame, His place was assigned with wicked men (Is 53:9). God meant this for good, as Jesus justified the many (Is 53:11). It was God’s intention for His chosen people (1 Pet 2:9), the remnant few from every nation (Rom 11:5; Rev 5:9), to believe the Word of truth come to them (Jn 4:41; 8:31; Acts 15:7; 1 Thess 2:13).
Death and the grave were no match for Jesus Christ, for it was always God’s purpose to prosper Messiah (Is 53:10; Eph 3:11). After the grave, it was prophesied that Jesus would see His offspring, bringing many sons to glory (Heb 2:10). His days would be prolonged, as in the case of all eternity. It was a truly satisfying sight to both God and His people (Is 53:11).
Who believes the report of Isaiah the prophet (Is 53:1; Jn 12:38)? Believers of his report are recipients of the gracious and extended arm of the Lord. Revelation of these matters has come to those who have been given ears to hear (Mt 11:15; 13:9, 43). For what had not been told them, they will see, and what they had not heard, they will understand (Is 52:15).
It is the grace of God that imparts this knowledge to God’s elect, redeemed people. They look upon Him whom they pierced (Zech 12:10). His own marvel at such love as this, so demonstrated (Rom 5:8). Who has the authority to forgive sins, but the one who shed His precious blood (1 Pet 1:19), the blood of the everlasting covenant of grace (Mt 26:28), for all of the sins, of all of His people, for all time (Rom 6:10; 2 Cor 5:14; Heb 7:27; 9:12; 10:10).
Christian, rejoice in so great a salvation made known to you, by the revelation of God’s Word. May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18), the Righteous One of God, His faithful and true Servant (Is 53:11; Rev 3:14; 19:11).
David Norczyk
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
November 12, 2020
