The Servant (5): The servant and sin

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

There is so much that could be commented on in this fourth Servant Song that the least I could do was write a second post!

Last time, we looked at the physical suffering the Servant would endure as part of His mission. This time we will look at what will transpire to be the ultimate reason for His mission: The Servant is going to deal with sin.

Verse 4 begins by indicating that the suffering of the Servant was not simply poor judgement on His part or human jealousy on the part of others but instead that the Servant would suffer for ‘our griefs (or sicknesses) and our sorrows’ (v4). The phrases then stack up one after another:
‘He was pierced for our transgressions’ (v5)

‘He was crushed for our iniquities’ (v5)

‘The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him’ (v6)

‘He was cut off from the land of the living for the transgression of my people…’ (v8)

‘He would render Himself as a guilt offering’ (v10)

‘My Servant will justify the many as He will bear their iniquities’ (v11)

‘He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors’ (v12)

The Servant’s mission was focussed on the defeat of sin. His sacrifice would rid sin of its power to enslave, kill, maim and destroy.

And yet this seems inherently unjust. The transgressions, sins and iniquities are those of others, not the Servant Himself. His suffering was all to be on behalf of others. The result is that others will be saved and healed (v5). Those who should have been punished walk free while the ‘Righteous One’ (v11) suffers.

And note that this is for many (vv11,12). The One will suffer for many. His sacrifice will be sufficient to deal with the sin of all.

Also, note that this is God’s will and work. He causes it to happen (v6) and ‘The Lord was pleased to crush Him’ (v10).

Dealing with our sin required the crushing of the sinless One.

Shocking.

Terrifying.

Freeing.

Further reading:     1 Peter 2:21-25

Worship video:

To think about:
Jesus took our sin upon himself so that we might walk in freedom. When we repent, God forgives us and we are free. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there are still areas of your life where you are not totally free.

Creative Response:

'Sin Entangles'  artwork by Esther

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