Ep. 168. Isaiah 52-53 | The Whole Gospel

EPISODE 168

THE WHOLE GOSPEL: ISAIAH 52-53

The last three verses of Isaiah 52 and the twelve verses that comprise chapter 53 are, together, the entire Gospel message. Fifteen verses of Scripture proclaim all the work that God would do through Christ.

Right away we see "My Servant," which Isaiah has already used in reference to the coming Messiah. That same servant will be "lifted up" on the cross. His appearance was so marred you could scarce tell who he was there on the tree. But in his shed blood was the sprinkling of many nations. The Gentiles, who did not have the advantage of the prophets, and the writings, would be the first to believe in him. Sadly, the Jews would neither believe the reports of the Prophets nor Christ himself. His very own people despised and rejected him.

But he bore their griefs and carried their sorrows. (Though the work of the cross benefits all people who believe, it is important to note that the pronouns in Isaiah 53 refer to the Hebrew people, as made clear in the letters of Paul)

Christ was cut off from the land of the living, but he would, through that death and subsequent resurrection, bear offspring for God.

One day, as we see in 53:12, Christ will return, and God will divide the spoils with him and the faithful saints.

If we could wrap our minds around these fifteen verses and draw the connections to all the other places the New Testament refers to or fulfills them, we would find that we know and can proclaim the richness of the gospel. Jesus bore our sins. Jesus died to redeem us as children of God. He will return. There is a reward for those who cast their faith on him.

I love this part of Isaiah. It explodes in my head like fireworks, and I find myself happy every time I come to this section.

ADDITIONAL READING: Romans 10:15; Romans 15:20-21; Hebrews 12:24; John 12:38; Romans 10:16-17; 1 Peter 2:24-25; Acts 8:22-23; 1 Peter 2:22; Romans 8:16-17; John 12:32