This is the third in our Advent Series: Jesus: More than a Name (A series through the Isaiah Prophecies). Included is the outline and important points of the sermon from December 12th 2010. Those notes marked with * are interesting facts that due to time and leading of the Spirit were omitted from the sermon but may bless you. May God bless the hearer and reader of His Word.
If I were to give you a choice at being a King or Queen or being a servant to the monarchy which would you choose? Most of us would choose to be royalty and not the cleaning staff. But in a reversal of the ages, Jesus chose to serve the word and not dominate it. Matthew 20:25–28 But Jesus called them over and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. 26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the •Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many." (HCSB) In the book of Isaiah, we continue to read about this King that will reestablish the throne of David and this King will reign forever without fear of losing power. What qualifies this King is that he is extraordinary. What qualifies this king is that he is a Suffering Servant who has earned the right to be exalted. Jesus the Messiah came to serve mankind and to save them from their sins. The way he lived his life glorified the father and provides us a life to emulate now until it is our turn to return home to heaven. In Isaiah 53 there are 4 qualities that make this servant greater than any king.
1. He is a Servant who is Shunned by the World (vs. 1-3)
This servant was a nobody to the world. The scripture described him as someone who could walk down the street and no one would notice. Verse 2 describes him as a tender shoot. He was just like a root or sprout out of the ground that has no form or anything special about it. Some roots and sprouts you could mistake for a weed and get rid of it you miss the beauty. As did those who despised and hated Jesus. They couldn't stand his talk of free gift of forgiveness. The religious leaders and their extra rules and pious behavior would account for nothing and here this carpenter's son is saying he is God and can forgive sins. But it wasn't just religious leaders. The people of his town hated him and wanted to stone him. His family thought he was crazy and wanted him to come home so he wouldn't embarrass them. When Jesus was serving the world there were very few appreciative of him. In fact they accused him with lies beat him and nailed him to a cross. As you choose to serve and follow Jesus please do not think you will win a lot of popularity contests. People will not pat you on the back and say "I am so glad you are standing up for biblical beliefs and high morals. They will probably say, "Go away you are narrow minded, exclusive and backward. Let me live my life how I want to."Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. Jesus was hated, so why do we think we deserve a different path? We must put on our Spiritual armor because the world and the evil one is going to attack you and hate you because you love Jesus.
2. He is a Servant who Stands in our Place (vs. 4-6)
You know we never like to take blame for what we have done wrong. You accidentally break something in the house. Who did this? You answer: "The dog". We don't like taking the punishment for our own faults we certainly wouldn't emulate the servant's life in this passage. He actually took the punishment for someone else's wrongdoings. Even though Israel did not recognize this servant this servant was ready to go to bat for Israel and for us. Read words of vs. 6-7. He borne (took up) our grief (sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (pains).We esteemed (reckoned, considered) Him stricken. "Stricken" is sometimes associated with the disease of leprosy. Here Jesus was stricken with the disease of Sin. Jesus also took the punishment of our sins for us.Everything we brought on ourselves he said "My bad, I will take the punishment" He was wounded – (pierced through) for our transgressions (rebellions), bruised –(crushed, broke into pieces, pulverized, ground into dust) for our iniquities. 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus was our bodily substitute for all of our sins. When asked who killed Jesus, I could pass a mirror around and each one of us here today could say "I did" Because of the Holiness of God our sin is punishable only by death and Hell. But God's love sent us Jesus and with the servant bearing our iniquities. If you repent and receive the gift of Jesus you will be forgiven forever. You will actually avoid the dreaded second death in a lake of fire. The servant took your punishment.
*We should emulate Jesus that he was willing to take our place though we didn't deserve it. There are family members and even coworkers that we should stand in the gap for. We should be quick to help them through a tough spot, take the blame for their mistake if it would minister to them, and think of ways to teach/encourage them instead of punishing them. The word say. "Lie in the bed you make," if that person made a wrong choice they get what they deserve. Jesus says "I took the world's punishment and they didn't seserve it" How are ways that you can show mercy to people around you this week?
3. He is a Servant who is Submissive to God's Plan (7-9)
This servant Jesus also showed what it meant to be in perfect submission of the father. VS 7 says that he was afflicted and was led like a lamb to the slaughter not once opening his mouth. Peter saw this first hand. Peter wanted to fight the dudes coming to get Jesus and Jesus rebuked him. Healed the soldier's ear and then went to face humiliation and death. 1 Peter 2:21–23 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps. 22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth; 23 when reviled, He did not revile in return; when suffering, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to the One who judges justly.
I am going to say something crazy: Jesus did open his mouth. He prayed in the Garden. He prayed as God revealed to him the torture that would come he listened and then Asked, "If there is any other way for this cup to pass me." In other words God do you have another option. Knowing clearly that God's plan included him dying on the cross, Jesus answered "Thy Will be done." Jesus the Son submitted to the Father's plan and did not go half heartedly, but he went without fighting. He showed to us what true submission looks like. We acknowledge God's sovereignty in our lives and when he says move or change jobs, or share Christ with our neighbor, or go to this school, don't date this person. Then we are to submit and obey. We hem and haw, and say "maybe we didn't hear you right," let me pray about it more, let me do a straw poll of my friends, or we just ignore it. But church, Jesus the perfect servant submitted without a word and should teach us to JUST DO IT!!!! As the perfect servant obeyed the Father those of us who Paul calls "Slaves of God" Should completely submit as well.
4. He is a Servant who's Success is Great and Eternal (10-12)
In verse 12 we are taught that because of his service God will greatly reward him. His portion will be great. The picture here is that of a victory parade with the Servant marching out front in the role of conqueror, bringing home the spoils of battle. He will be able to split the booty of his reward with all. Why did Christ receive such a high reward? Because He poured out His soul unto death. · He was numbered (listed) with sinners. · He bore the sin of many. · He made intercession for the transgressors. He died not just with sinners. He died for sinners. Church should our soul not be stirred? Should we not fall to our knees to worship? Should we not plunge deep in love with this servant this Jesus? That though he was a baby he is God in human form that he could have called down the stars upon his enemies but he didn't. He being more than a Man but had royal lineage could have mounted forces to reclaim the Kingdom wiped out the governments and started his rule right away? But NO he then set himself aside and did what was right for all and took the sins of the world. He became the substitutionary atonement for our lives and died in our place in the ultimate act of service. He died for you. Because of this service, because of this humility and love God highly exalts him. Philippians 2:9–11 For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow— of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth — 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Do you? Do you exalt him with your life and hearts? Have you asked him to be your savior? Do you daily run to him in obedience because he saved you from hell? Oh church I don't know about you but I am glad Jesus was more than a King, in serving the world he saved me from Sin.
*I love Keith and Kristen Getty and their ministry of modern hymn writing. Their words are deep in biblical theology and uplifting as it moves my heart. Check out their stuff at www. Gettymusic.com. But in reflection of this passage watch this song which is a favorite of mine: "The Power of the Cross." I weep every time I hear it. What power there is in the cross, oh what love that draws us there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubGCISQQ7Zo
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