A Coincidence? 

Isaiah 53, post # 2 

Here’s some cool Bible Trivia: 

• The Bible has 66 books 
• The Old has 39 books and the New has 27 books 
• Isaiah has 66 chapters 

• Isaiah has two sections.  
• The first section of Isaiah, 39 chapters, similar to the Old Testament, it documents the Israelites breaking God’s laws and suffering consequences and judgment 
• The second section of Isaiah has 27 chapters, begins and ends just like the New Testament and focuses on salvation and the Messiah 
• The second section of Isaiah begins with the foretelling of John the Baptist and Isaiah ends with the new heaven and new earth. Just the way the New Testament begins and ends.  
• Even though Isaiah was written 700 years before Christ, Isaiah 53 is written as if its written at the foot of the cross.  
• Of the entire 66 books of the Bible, the very center of the Bible is Isaiah 53:5 

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him. 53:5. 

WOW!!! We have come upon the most superlative section of all literature, biblical and non-biblical. It is unapparelled in its meaning and untouchable in its richness. 

Isaiah: It’s Sweeping – Magnificent – Comprehensive – Superlative – Sublime – Uplifting & Inspiring!

Here’s a little background to help this section come alive and better understand its meaning.

In studying Isaiah 53, we find ourselves in the second section of Isaiah. The second section includes four prophetic songs about the Messiah, God’s servant. The fourth and final song is Isaiah 52:13-53:12. When I refer to “Isaiah 53” I am referring to this section, which includes the final verses of chapter 52. 

Isaiah 53 is all about Jesus of Nazareth, the servant Messiah. It has been called the torture chamber of the rabbis. It so completely points to Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah that it’s difficult for a rabbi to explain its meaning. I’ve read that this chapter tends to be overlooked in its reading in synagogues over the years. It is scandalous in that it indicts the Jewish nation for rejecting Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. The suffering servant is not an appealing story to the Jews. It’s not appealing to any of us. But it bears with it the ultimate expression of a bitter/sweet reality. The immense suffering of Jesus is our salvation! 

Choose One 

Romans and John are the prince jewels of the New Testament. No doubt about it. But if you had to choose only one book of the Bible to have with you the rest of your life, you should pick, no doubt whatsoever, the Book of Isaiah. It is a rich representative of the Old and New Testament. 

Isaiah means The Lord is salvation. Within it, the prophecies of the Messiah’s first coming as a servant of God have been vividly and completely fulfilled. The sections containing the prophecies of the second coming of the King are yet to be fulfilled. They are beautifully aligned with the New Testament which was written 700 years later. 

The title the Messiah bears in this portion of scripture is Servant of God. The Lord speaks and calls Jesus My Servant. 700 years later, Jesus would speak of His purpose and mission in this way: 

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45. 

Lord, the clear message for us today is the calling upon our lives to follow Your example as a servant. Upon earth, You were One who set about Your life, Your actions and Your words to serve. Above all else, You served. You have called me to be a servant husband; a servant father; a servant friend; a servant leader. In all my descriptions in life, the word servant should precede all. Help all of us to fulfill our mission and as we are going through our daily schedules, serving You and others, for Your glory. Amen