Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Introduction: Last week, your small group studied one of two “high points” in the book of Isaiah. This week, we’ll be looking at another part of the love letter that God sent to his people through the prophet Isaiah: Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53 is one of four “Servant Songs” in Isaiah that point forward to the character and deeds of the coming Messiah. (You can find the others in Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4- 11.) In this beautiful song, God tells his people about a Suffering Servant. This Servant would come not with celebration and honor, but in humility. He would not be received with open arms, but instead he would be despised and rejected by the people he came to save. The name of that Suffering Servant, God would later reveal, was Jesus.

This Week’s Main Focus: Jesus is the Suffering Servant — the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

This passage teaches us a glorious truth about God’s plan of salvation in the Gospel. Here, God promises a great exchange — one in which his Suffering Servant would live a perfect life and do no wrong, yet upon him would be laid the sins of the world. And by his wounds, those very sinners would be healed, adopted as sons and daughters of God, and made heirs to a kingdom by a grace they did not deserve. This free gift of grace would be available for all who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus. Despite being part of an Old Testament book, Isaiah 53 is often mistaken as a New Testament passage because it contains such a clear depiction of Jesus. But the truth is that this prophecy was written more than 700 years before Jesus was born! As you study this week’s lesson, pay careful attention to the details about the coming Messiah and think about ways that Jesus fulfilled the predictions that we find in this passage.

Bible Study Questions: Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12 1) List as many characteristics of the Suffering Servant as you can from this passage. What parts of Jesus’ life do these prophecies make you think of?

2) According to this passage (53:1-9), how would the world view the Suffering Servant when he came? How does it say God’s view would differ?

3) Verse 10 says “it was the will of the LORD to crush him.” Why would God treat his servant in this way?

4) What did the Suffering Servant do to deserve his punishment? What did we do to deserve his grace?

5) According to verses 5, 11, and 12, what specific things do believers in Jesus receive because he died for sinners?

Group Application Questions: 6) Verse 8 asks, “Who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?” Tell your story of when you first trusted that Jesus had died for your sin so that you could be reconciled to God.

7) The bible says, “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). How does this picture of Jesus as the Suffering Servant help strengthen you in your walk with him?

Prayer: Read Psalm 119:81-88 • Talk to God about how you want to long more for his salvation and to hope more in his word. (v. 81) • Ask God for patience and trust in the daily circumstances of your life that cause suffering. (v. 84) • Thank God for his steadfast love. (v. 88)