Sermons | Word of Grace Bible Church [wgbc.org]

When speaking of the suffering Servant of the Lord, the prophet Isaiah specifically emphasizes His sinlessness. This is yet another remarkable detail that speaks to the integrity and accuracy of Scripture. At the same time, Isaiah describes the Messiah’s righteousness in a very unexpected way. He speaks of this in the context of the Messiah’s absolute submission to His heavenly Father, as well as the power that this submission brings. The Messiah’s victory on the cross became the supreme manifestation of God’s power at work in people on earth. 

How is the salvation of sinful people possible? All the world’s religions have sought to answer this question, offering a wide variety of solutions. The Bible, in both the New and Old Testaments, states clearly and unequivocally that salvation is possible only through the substitutionary sacrifice of the Messiah, the Son of God, sent from heaven to take upon Himself the sins of humanity and die for them. Isaiah 53 is the quintessence of the teaching on the substitutionary sacrifice presented in the Old Testament. 

Israel has played and continues to play a significant role in world history. Even today, the attention of many people around the world is focused on events taking place in and around Israel. What does this mean in practice? What place does Israel occupy in the spiritual world today, and what place will it occupy in the future? The Book of Isaiah, written 700 years before the birth of Christ, speaks of this with utmost clarity. One day, the moment will come when Israel as a nation will turn to God, acknowledging Jesus as its Messiah and repenting before Him. 

Salvation is the main theme of the book of Isaiah. God sent a prophet to point to the salvation He is preparing for His people. In proclaiming and explaining the nature of this salvation, Isaiah presents a completely unexpected version of salvation. It will not be accomplished by a powerful army, talented commanders, or even an invasion of angels into earthly affairs. God will accomplish salvation through His Servant, who is humiliated and suffering. Realizing that such a version of salvation is difficult to understand and accept, God proclaims and explains in detail how it will happen.

Proclaiming the good news of salvation to God's people was a central part of the prophet Isaiah's ministry. This ministry was fraught with great difficulties. Like other prophets, Isaiah faced opposition from people who were unwilling to abandon their sins and turn to God. Nevertheless, the essence of this ministry was so significant and great that Isaiah specifically emphasizes its beauty. God's message of salvation continues to be beautiful today. What is its beauty, and how can we learn to notice and appreciate it?