Isaiah 53 is one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible! This astounding passages prophesizes the death of Christ 700 years before He even lived! This amazing chapter shows how the King would die on behalf of His people so that they (and us) might be part of His eternal kingdom. Join us as we study this key chapter in God's Word!
DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. So far in our study of the Book of Isaiah, we’ve learned that the Lord will establish a New Kingdom (Isaiah 2), with a New King (Isaiah 9, 14), by means of a New Covenant (Isaiah 42) which produces a New Citizenship (Isaiah 49-50). As you have read over Isaiah 53, how does this chapter fit into the unfolding of God’s revelation regarding the means by which the citizens will enter this Kingdom?
2. Under the Old Covenant (i.e. the Mosaic Law), how was the covenant upheld between the people and God? In the New Covenant, how is our covenant upheld with God? How does Isaiah 53 fit into the means by which our covenant with God is upheld?
3. Isaiah 53 is the final Servant Song. How does verse 2 describe the Servant? What was His appearance like (or more specifically, what was it not like)? Why is this important for us to understand about Jesus?
4. In verse 3, how did the people view Him? Why? How was this fulfilled by the people’s reaction to Jesus?
5. In verse 4, whose griefs (or whose sins) was He bearing? What was the people’s view of Him bearing their griefs?
6. In verse 5, what happens to this Servant? What was the healing that the Servant provides?
7. In verse 6, what does it mean that “all of us like sheep have gone astray?” How have you gone astray? How have you gone your own way? According to verse 6, who experienced the judgment for your sins?
8. In verse 7, how was Jesus the Lamb of God who did not open His mouth? What is this referring to?
9. Verse 9 says that the Servant will be assigned with the wicked but buried with the rich. How was that fulfilled in Jesus’ death? What circumstances unfolded in Jesus’ death & burial that made this seemingly contradictory prophecy actually be fulfilled in its details?
10. Verse 10 says that the Servant’s death would be a guilt offering. According to the podcast (and according to Leviticus 7), what is a guilt offering? What was unique about it? How does this show us that Jesus’ death paid an even greater penalty than the specific offense of our sins? Why is this so important when needing to repay an infinite debt owed to an infinite God?
11. In verse 10, how do we know that the Lord would accept the payment of the Servant’s life on our behalf? In the life of Jesus, how do we know that the Father accepted His sacrifice for our sins?
12. Verse 11 says that the Servant will “justify the many.” What does it mean to be justified? What is the basis of our justification? Have you been justified by Christ?
13. Verse 12 summarizes the Gospel of the Cross. How did Jesus bear our sins? How does He intercede for us? What is the ultimate destiny for this King and His people?
14. The podcast mentioned that Isaiah 53 is on the “Mount Rushmore” of biblical passages that we need to know and understand. Thinking back to the principles of this passage. Why is this passage so important? Does the fact that this passage was written 700 years before Jesus deepen your reverence for these truths? What is this passage calling you to believe? What is it calling you to do? Have you?
The Key Chapters Bible Podcast is a daily, 15ish minute podcast that goes over the key chapters of the Bible, one per day, explaining how it fits into the overall message of God and how it relates to our lives now. Jump in today or start back in Genesis 1!
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