The Suffering Servant: a Detailed Look: Isaiah 53:7-9

In Isaiah's 700B.C. prophecy about the suffering Servant of Yahweh--the Son of God become Lamb of God--he includes details of the passion of Christ that are striking for their accuracy, but even more so for their poignancy.

As for the accuracy of these predictions notice that the Suffering Messiah would:

1. Submit to death without argument or personal defense (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:59-63; Mark 14:55-61).
2. Actually die (Isaiah 53:8). This prediction of a dying Messiah made no sense to anyone looking for a mighty Deliverer, but in the wisdom of God's plan for human redemption, the Savior would have to die so that He could save.
3. Be buried in a rich man's grave (Isaiah 53:9; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50-53).

As for the poignancy of these predictions, notice that the suffering Messiah:

1. Chose death for us over defense of self. Such was His love, and resolve to die for us that He didn't even try to put up a defense.
2. Was cut off from the land of the living not having any "generation" or children (Isaiah 53:8). He did not marry or have children because He was not here for such a purpose or pleasure. He came to produce offspring of a different sort (Isaiah 53:10; Hebrews 2:10-15). He came to save a people that would be children of faith and children of God.
3. Didn't even have his own tomb. (In the end this didn't matter much of course; since a Fort Knox vault-like tomb couldn't have held Him. But still: a borrowed tomb?!)

Such is the love of the Messiah for us. As you and I reflect on the dying love of Christ, may we feel the wonder of a Savior who gave up his rights, His life, His personal pleasure, His dignity, His all, for us.