God Reveals the Suffering Servant

SESSION 5 God Reveals the Suffering Servant

Summary and Goal

Hundreds of years before Christ was born, Isaiah prophesied about a mysterious Servant who would be rejected and despised yet bring salvation through His suffering. The early Christians believed this prophecy was made about Jesus and His life and work. As those who benefit from the service and suffering of Jesus, we now embrace a life of suffering and service on behalf of others. Main Passage Isaiah 52:13–53:12 Session Outline 1. A Servant Who Is Despised and Rejected (Isa. 52:13–53:3) 2. A Servant Who Submits as a Substitute (Isa. 53:4-9) 3. A Servant Who Is Exalted and Victorious (Isa. 53:10-12)

Theological Theme Salvation comes through the suffering of God’s chosen Servant. Christ Connection Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God opened the eyes of Isaiah to see the coming Savior with detail no one had seen before. Isaiah prophesied about a mysterious Servant who would be rejected and despised and yet accomplish salvation through His suffering. The New Testament shows that this prophecy is about Jesus and His work. Missional Application As those who benefit from the service and suffering of Jesus, we now embrace a life of suffering and service on behalf of others.

Date of My Bible Study: ______55

Session 5

Introduction Introduction Option Share the stats about Mount Everest. Say that Everest is simply more beauty As group members than any single person can appreciate (leader p. 58; PSG p. 46). (Consider arrive, provide each willing participant with ways to show images of Mount Everest to help the group grasp its beauty.) a couple of the Scripture passages listed here: What is the tallest mountain or highest elevation you have Matthew 8:17; Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37; John 12:38; ever visited? What do you recall about that experience? Acts 8:32-35; Romans 10:16; 15:21; 1 Peter 2:22-24. (You can find a print out Draw the connection between Mount Everest and Isaiah 53. Isaiah’s of these on the DVD in song gives us a “Mount Everest” type view of the story of salvation. Then The Gospel Project for Adults: Leader Pack.) summarize the session (leader pp. 58-59; PSG pp. 46-47). Ask the volunteers to read their passages, and then 1. A Servant Who Is Despised and Rejected ask the group what they all (Isa. 52:13–53:3) have in common (they are all New Testament quotes Preface that Isaiah gives us a picture of the victory that the Servant of Isaiah 52:13–53:12). Then proceed with the would accomplish (leader p. 59). Then read Isaiah 52:13-15. Tell how session introduction. understanding the depth of Christ’s suffering heightens the magnitude of His accomplishment (leader p. 59; PSG p. 47).

Take a few moments to compare Paul’s words in For Further Philippians 2:5-11 with the preceding passage. What Discussion similarities do you see? What differences? How might we be tempted to “recreate” Jesus in Clarify how the original audience would have identified this “servant,” and our evangelism? note their shortcoming. Then read Isaiah 53:1-3. The Jews were likely looking What’s the difference between sharing a for a strong king as their Messiah, but here, the Messiah is unappealing, even testimony and sharing rejected (leader pp. 60-61; PSG p. 48). This connection between the Servant and the gospel? Christ is made on Pack Item 3: Seeing Jesus in the Divided Kingdom. What place should a testimony serve in sharing the gospel? What are some ways people recreate Jesus today in order to make Him more appealing?

How do these “recreations” distract us from the primary work that Jesus came to do? How do they compromise our relationship with Him?

56 Leader Guide 2. A Servant Who Submits as a Substitute (Isa. 53:4-9) Point 2 Option Ask groups of 2-3 to imagine Read Isaiah 53:4-9. Explain that rather than ignore our sin and deny His being on trial for a crime they holiness, God chose to take our punishment upon Himself through the didn’t commit and to discuss person of His Son (leader pp. 61-62; PSG pp. 49-50). the following questions: • Would you want to What are some ways that we try to minimize the gravity of defend yourself? Have representation through our sins? a lawyer? Why? Reconvene after a What does Jesus’ substitutionary work for us reveal about couple of minutes and how God sees our sin? ask the group how Isaiah said the Messiah would respond to His Highlight the two phrases that demonstrate the monumental impact of Jesus undeserved punishment. becoming our substitute (leader pp. 62-63; PSG p. 50): • How should Jesus’ example affect our • “Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.” actions and responses • “With his wounds we are healed.” to undeserved situations (1 Pet. 2:20-25)? In what ways are we like sheep that have gone astray?

How does the Servant’s work on our behalf serve to bring us back to God? For Further Discussion 3. A Servant Who Is Exalted and Victorious How are you affected by the truth that God put His (Isa. 53:10-12) Son to death in order to Ask a volunteer to read Isaiah 53:10-12. Discuss the three distinct ways God redeem you and restore you to Himself? the Father rewards Jesus for His sacrifice (leader pp. 63-65; PSG pp. 51-52): • “He shall see his offspring.”

Have you ever thought of yourself as a reward to Christ Christ Connection: for His work on the cross? How does this change your Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God ambition to live for Him? opened the eyes of Isaiah to see the coming Savior with detail no one had seen • “He shall prolong his days.” before. Isaiah prophesied • “The will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” about a mysterious Servant who would be rejected and despised and yet What does it mean for us that the Servant lives to intercede accomplish salvation for His people? through His suffering. The New Testament shows that this prophecy is about How does knowing Christ is praying for us impact our Jesus and His work. daily choices? ...... Missional Application: As Conclusion those who benefit from the service and suffering of Stress how the costliness of Jesus’ death should motivate us to live—denying Jesus, we now embrace a ourselves in obedience to the Father’s will (leader p. 65; PSG p. 53). life of suffering and service Apply the truths of this session with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 54). on behalf of others.

Session 5 57 Expanded Session Content God Reveals the Suffering Servant

Session 5

Introduction Voices from Rising to a massive 29,035 feet, Mount Everest holds the undisputed Church History position of being the highest point on earth, rising 5 ½ miles above sea “(Oh, the surpassing level. Standing on top of the majestic mountain, with one foot in China kindness and love of God!) He did not hate us, or and the other in Tibet, climbers feel like they are on top of the world. reject us, or bear a grudge With winds exceeding 200 mph and temperatures of -80 degrees against us; instead he was patient and forbearing; in Fahrenheit, even those who glimpse the unrivaled beauty of Everest’s his mercy he took upon summit cannot do so for long. There is simply more beauty than any himself our sins; he himself gave up his own Son as single person can appreciate surrounding this majestic treasure of a ransom for us, the holy the East. one for the lawless, the guiltless for the guilty, the just for the unjust, What is the tallest mountain or highest elevation you have the incorruptible for the ever visited? What do you recall about that experience? corruptible, the immortal for the mortal.” 1 Ascending from the pages of the Old Testament, Isaiah 53 stands as a –Anonymous (2nd century) spiritual “Mount Everest” pointing to the glory of Christ and the hope of eternal salvation. As we journey up this mountain, we encounter a prophetic picture that all of us can appreciate but none of us can exhaust. Voices from Despite being written 700 years before Jesus died on Golgotha’s hill, these Church History verses position the reader at the foot of the cross and expound on the “He was made in the form gospel by showing us the truth of substitutionary atonement. of a man who is composed Scholars from every generation have celebrated its beauty and of the dust of the ground. He became a servant. marveled over Isaiah 53’s accuracy. Consisting of five stanzas, this passage Finally, our Lord was is the fourth song in Isaiah, a song that helps us understand God’s Servant, sentenced to execution in a death reserved for the Messiah. Though New Testament followers of Jesus did not initially criminals and felons. He believe that God’s Son would need to suffer in these ways (Mark 8:31-34), was raised between the heaven and the earth as after the death and resurrection of Jesus, they recognized the truth to though both heaven and whom this song was pointing. In addition to the obvious parallels between earth rejected Him.” 2 the Gospel accounts and these words, six different New Testament –W. A. Criswell (1909-2002) authors apply these verses to Jesus in eight different places: Matthew 8:17; Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37; John 12:38; Acts 8:32-35; Romans 10:16; 15:21; 1 Peter 2:22-24.

58 Leader Guide Session Summary Hundreds of years before Christ was born, Isaiah prophesied about a Further mysterious Servant who would be rejected and despised yet bring salvation Commentary through His suffering. The early Christians believed this prophecy was “The song begins with the made about Jesus and His life and work. As those who benefit from the Lord’s declaration that His servant would be greatly service and suffering of Jesus, we now embrace a life of suffering and honored. Just as many service on behalf of others. had been shocked by the degree of the servant’s humiliation, so many 1. A Servant Who Is Despised and Rejected nations and even kings would be amazed by his (Isa. 52:13–53:3) glorious exaltation.” 3 Much like our favorite songs or sitcoms look back in time to convey –Robert B. Chisholm the accuracy of particular events, Isaiah employed the technique of using the past tense to communicate certainties about the suffering of the Messiah, even though the events had yet to occur. Before listing the various ways Jesus would agonize on the cross, the first stanza contrasts Further His final victory with the atrocities of His crucifixion. It is as if the pain of Commentary these verses is so horrific that Isaiah wants us to know how the story ends “The first and last stanzas before we begin. contain the commendation of the Servant in the voice of God, while the 13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; middle three speak of the Servant’s humiliation he shall be high and lifted up, and suffering, the first and shall be exalted. and second of which are 14 in the voice of ‘we,’ those As many were astonished at you— who caused his suffering. his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, The central thought of the poem is focused on and his form beyond that of the children of mankind— two great contrasts: the 15 so shall he sprinkle many nations; contrast between the Servant’s exaltation and his kings shall shut their mouths because of him; humiliation and suffering, for that which has not been told them they see, and the contrast between what people thought about and that which they have not heard they understand. the Servant and what was really the case.” 4 These words lay the foundation for the victory that Jesus earned by –John N. Oswalt means of sacrifice. The action of submitting to the will of His Father was wise because it resulted in Jesus being raised, lifted up, and greatly exalted (52:13). (Perhaps the apostle Paul had these words in mind when he penned Philippians 2:5-11.) Understanding the depth of Christ’s suffering Voices from heightens the magnitude of His accomplishment (52:14). His chastisement Church History “Christ’s deformity is was so severe that His standing as King of kings over heaven and earth is what gives form to you. If not only unpredictable but also astonishing (52:15). he had been unwilling to be deformed, you would never have got back the Take a few moments to compare Paul’s words in form you lost. So he hung Philippians 2:5-11 with Isaiah 52:13-15. What similarities do on the cross, deformed; you see? What differences? but his deformity was our beauty.” 5 –Augustine (354-430)

Session 5 59 When we read Isaiah 53 today, we see it as referring ultimately to Jesus Voices from Christ. The original audience, however, would have identified this Church History mysterious “servant” with God’s chosen people—Israel. At other points in “May your right hand with this book, Isaiah refers to Israel as God’s servant (41:8). But the mystery which you fashioned the deepens as we keep reading, and we begin to realize that this particular world bring light to the world…May your right prophecy’s meaning cannot be identified solely with Israel because Isaiah hand with which you describes the servant as someone who will die as a substitute for formed humanity take on a human body and save God’s people. human persons.” 6 –Jerome (circa 345-420) 1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

The Jews of Jesus’ day were hoping for a Messiah who would be a king with the power to conquer their enemies. Instead, Isaiah predicted a Servant who would be “despised” and “rejected,” without “form” or “majesty” to catch our eye. Israel rejected their Messiah despite the Lord’s promises and prophecies about Him (see John 12:38; Rom. 10:16). The nations did not receive Him because they were uninformed or unimpressed (Rom. 15:21). Few people believed Jesus was the Messiah then, just as few people sincerely believe today (Matt. 7:13-14). But make no mistake. The final exaltation of Christ will leave unbelievers, both Jew and Gentile alike, shocked when they consider their previous notions of Jesus. This is not the Savior most people were looking for, and if we are honest, this is not the kind of Messiah most people want today. Though it is tempting to sit in judgment over those who scorned Jesus in the past, modern generations are just as guilty of rejecting God’s messianic Servant. Like a worthless root coming out of the ground, Jesus may seem unimpressive to many people (53:2). Far from any Who’s Who list, the Servant’s glory is tied to His final victory rather than our own notions of glory. Consequently, many despise, reject, and turn away from Him in exchange for false gods who promise the health and prosperity they desire rather than the salvation they need.

60 Leader Guide A Savior who appears to be nobody is not very appealing to the masses that are desperate to be somebody. If Jesus is not a ticket to a better life now, most will find no value in following Him. We falsely assume that no one would humble himself intentionally, especially God. Thus, we fail to see that Jesus came to identify with our failure and suffering rather than be defeated by it. When we see our frailties in Him, we can rejoice that God is working through His Son in order to see His glory in us.

What are some ways people recreate Jesus today in order to make Him more appealing?

How do these “recreations” distract us from the primary work that Jesus came to do? How do they compromise our relationship with Him?

2. A Servant Who Submits as a Substitute (Isa. 53:4-9) Further Next, Isaiah’s song unveils for us, with pinpoint precision, the events Commentary of the cross before they occurred. We see here that the Servant became a “Our substitute, then, who took our place and died suffering substitute for us. our death on the cross, was neither Christ alone 4 (since that would make Surely he has borne our griefs him a third party thrust and carried our sorrows; in between God and us), nor God alone (since that yet we esteemed him stricken, would undermine the smitten by God, and afflicted. historical incarnation), 5 but God in Christ, who was But he was pierced for our transgressions; truly and fully both God he was crushed for our iniquities; and man and who on that account was uniquely upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, qualified to represent and with his wounds we are healed. both God and man and to 6 mediate between them. All we like sheep have gone astray; If we speak only of Christ we have turned—every one—to his own way; suffering and dying, we overlook the initiative of the ord and the L has laid on him Father. If we speak only of the iniquity of us all. God suffering and dying, we 7 overlook the mediation of He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, the Son.” 7 yet he opened not his mouth; –John R. W. Stott like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?

Session 5 61 9 And they made his grave with the wicked Further and with a rich man in his death, Commentary although he had done no violence, “His healing many people’s and there was no deceit in his mouth. physical illnesses (though not all of them) in His earthly ministry anticipated Seeking to highlight the comprehensiveness of the Servant’s His greater work on the substitution for all people, Isaiah repeatedly uses the words “we,” “us,” and Cross. Though He does heal physical ailments “our” to communicate that we are the beneficiaries of His work (a thought today (though not all of which began in Isaiah 49:6) and also guilty for these crimes. them) His greater work is healing souls, giving Why do we need a substitute? You may recall that when Adam salvation from sin. That this and Eve chose to sin, humanity was left reeling under the curse of their is the subject of Isaiah 53 is clear from the words transgression (Rom. 5:12-14). Destined to die as a result, the only hope for ‘transgressions’ (v. 5), salvation is that our sentence of condemnation be taken away. By dying on ‘iniquities’ (vv. 5,11), ‘iniquity’ (v. 6), ‘transgressions’ the cross, Jesus paid the debt we owe. Rather than ignore our sin and deny (v. 8), ‘wicked’ (v. 9), His holiness, God chose to take our punishment upon Himself through ‘transgressors’ (v. 12 [twice]), and ‘sin’ (v. 12). the person of His Son in order to remove our sins completely. The Servant vicariously Thus, Jesus bore our sicknesses and pain because they are a result of took on Himself all the sins (and spiritual anguish the curse (Isa. 53:4). God the Father pierced and crushed Him for our caused by sin) of the transgressions and iniquities so that we could enjoy peace (53:5). Because nation (and the whole world) and carried (sābal, all people are like wayward sheep deserving of death (53:6; Rom. 3:23), ‘to carry as a burden’; God the Father placed the weight of our wickedness upon Christ. Jesus cf. 46:4,7) them on Himself (cf. 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18).” 8 stood in our place and not only became sin but also faced the consequence –John A. Martin of sin (2 Cor. 5:21). He was cut off from the land of the living because the wages of sin is death (Isa. 53:8; Rom. 6:23). Despite the common Jewish notion that all suffering is a direct result of individual sin, Jesus faced these brutal consequences even though He Voices from was completely innocent (Isa. 53:9). He remained silently determined to Church History meet all demands necessary so that we could be saved from our sins (53:7). “Christ is here presented Doing so required Him to drink from the bitter cup of our guilt and as the sinless Substitute for sinful men, to whom shame. He was punished so that we would not have to be. Jesus endured our sins were imputed that these things not because He was a sinner but because we are sinners. divine righteousness might be imputed to us who believe in Him.” 9 What are some ways that we try to minimize the gravity of our sins? –Henry A. Ironside (1876-1951) What does Jesus’ substitutionary work for us reveal about how God sees our sin?

How does Jesus’ substitution help us? Two phrases demonstrate the monumental impact of Jesus becoming our substitute. First, “upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.” This tells us that Jesus’ sacrifice restored our peace with God, making a relationship with the Almighty possible.

62 Leader Guide Second, Isaiah said, “With his wounds we are healed.” Though this “healing” can be physical in nature, the primary purpose of its inclusion 99 Essential here is the spiritual restoration and health that Christ’s substitution makes Christian Doctrines possible. In His earthly ministry Jesus often relieved the symptoms of the 61. Christ as Substitute fall (sickness, pain, death), but on the cross Jesus removed the source of At the heart of the atonement is Jesus Christ our greatest problem by atoning for our sins. As wonderful as temporary substituting Himself for healing is, the focus of Isaiah 53 is the final victory we receive as a result of sinners as He died on the cross. This truth is seen Christ’s substitution. Fully healed from the disease of rebellion, peace with against the backdrop God can be reality. of the Old Testament sacrificial system, which Because Jesus stands in our place in order to take sin away, we are provided a picture of free to stand in His place and enjoy the peace of righteousness that is not humanity’s need for sin to be covered and guilt to be our own. Jesus not only removed our guilt, but He also imparted His removed by an innocent innocence to us. Our salvation is possible because, as our substitute, Jesus sacrifice. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the removes our sins and imputes His righteousness to us. will of God, taking upon Himself human nature In what ways are we like sheep that have gone astray? with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with How does the Servant’s work on our behalf serve to bring humankind yet without sin. us back to God? He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary 3. A Servant Who Is Exalted and Victorious death on the cross, He made provision for the (Isa. 53:10-12) redemption of humanity As predicted in his introductory stanza, Isaiah concluded his song by from sin. describing the Servant’s vicarious work on our behalf with the exaltation and victory it brings. These verses intentionally contrast with the messianic experience that immediately precedes them. Look at the contrast. Further Commentary 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; “The Servant would he has put him to grief; be regarded as a great when his soul makes an offering for guilt, conqueror, one who shares the spoils of victory with he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; his followers. Victory, the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. however, would come 11 only through the fact that Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; the Servant was willing by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, to suffer as a sin-bearer and pour out himself in make many to be accounted righteous, death. Through his death and he shall bear their iniquities. and resurrection he made 10 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, intercession (53:12).” and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, –James E. Smith because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Session 5 63 Lest anyone erroneously believe that these atrocities against the Voices from Messiah were accidental, we learn that God not only orchestrated the the Church whole affair but also that He was pleased to do so. The greater good “That God was ‘pleased to produced by Jesus’ willing substitution far outweighed the agony of His crush’ the Servant sounds passion. Because He was victorious over sin and death, Jesus is exalted over mean-spirited, but His pleasure is explained by all the earth with a name that is above every name (Phil. 2:9-11). the fact that the Servant’s In addition to receiving the glory that He clearly earned, we receive suffering will ‘justify many.’ What seems harsh will turn atonement and forgiveness that we do not deserve. Because Jesus willingly out to be gracious.” 11 became an offering for sin (John 10:17-18), God the Father rewards Him –Tremper Longman III in three distinct ways in Isaiah 53:10:

1. “He shall see his offspring.” Seed is a reference to descendants or offspring. Despite the agonies of Further His death, Jesus would live again to enjoy those who gain from His Commentary sacrificial work (Heb. 2:13). Out of His anguish, Christ saw how we would “From the perspective of ecclesiology, the benefit and was able to endure (Isa. 53:11; Matt. 20:28). Not only does this Servant Songs inform speak of His unwavering love for us, but also of the future we have in the contemporary understanding of the heaven with Him. With the church as a reward, the agony of the cross was mission of the church worth it (Eph. 5:27). as the body of Christ in the world. Paul spoke eloquently of the believer’s Have you ever thought of yourself as a reward to Christ for ‘fellowship of His [Christ’s] His work on the cross? How does this change your ambition suffering’ (Phil. 3:10, HCSB). to live for Him? Matthew reported Jesus taught His followers that the most compelling 2. “He shall prolong his days.” evidence of their identity with Him would be seen Without the certainty of resurrection, the future exaltation of Jesus in their identification would be impossible. Thus, Isaiah insisted that death would not defeat with those who suffered (Matt. 25:31-45). The Jesus and that His days would continue beyond the grave. Because He Servant Songs are a is the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20), not only will He live strong corrective to the contemporary reemergence eternally but all those who are in Him will as well (1 Cor. 15:21-23). of the age-old heresy that material prosperity, ord abundant luxury, and 3. “The will of theL shall prosper in his hand.” the absence of suffering What is the pleasure of the Lord? Verse 11 points us to the are the principle signs of God’s favor.” 12 redemption of sinners as the focal work given to the Son. The Father’s –D. Larry Gregg Sr., eternal design is to exalt the Son for saving transgressors (Col. 1:14-20). Biblical Illustrator This is why the Son of Man came seeking to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). Because Jesus longed to accomplish the pleasure of God the Father, He did not open His mouth (Isa. 53:7) when He stood before those who condemned Him to die. He willingly submitted to death (53:12) because He always sought to please His Father (John 8:29). As a result, Jesus lives eternally as the instrument of God’s abundant grace and mercy.

64 Leader Guide The knowledge of His future exaltation and the atonement of sinners from every race and age is pleasing to the Father and satisfying to the Son Voices from (Isa. 53:11). Because His glory is tied to His willingness to save at the Church History direction of the Father, our security is a reflection of His obedience rather “Christ has made an than our own. Jesus would have to forsake Himself in order to forsake us! atonement so complete that he never need suffer Likewise, unbelievers who fear that salvation is unattainable can again. No more drops of reassure themselves that Jesus’ work on the cross is not only an expression blood; no more pangs of heart; no more bitterness of His love toward all people (Rom. 5:8) but also an act of supreme and darkness, with devotion to God the Father. No sinner is out of reach (Isa. 59:1), and no exceeding heaviness, even unto death, are needed.” 13 saint can forfeit the safety of the Savior’s steady hand (John 10:28). Rather –Charles Spurgeon than compete with His love for us, Christ’s exaltation is intricately tied to (1834-1892) and fulfilled by it instead. As a result, followers of Jesus rejoice that His completed work in us is the prelude to His reward (Phil. 1:6).

What does it mean for us that the Servant lives to intercede for His people?

How does knowing Christ is praying for us impact our daily choices?

Conclusion If God loved us enough to offer His Son as a Suffering Servant, how should we respond? What kind of lives should we live in light of this truth? First, we must be sure that we identify with Jesus our substitute. Apart from repentance (Luke 13:3) and faith (Rom. 10:9), we are left to face the penalty of sin on our own. This messianic song invites us to call on the name of the Lord in order to be saved (Rom. 10:13). Second, we dare not squander such a costly sacrifice on our behalf. Christianity is more than a one-time decision, after which we choose to live independently of God. Accepting Christ’s death also requires yielding to His life (Gal. 2:20). Just as Jesus sought to obey His Father in all things, we too must die to ourselves so that He might live through us with the same agenda. Finally, we should eagerly spread the good news that salvation is available to all. If God merely turned a blind eye to our wickedness, there would be little motivation to take the gospel to the world (Matt. 28:19-20). The costly nature of this sacrifice, however, compels us to share with others so that they might benefit, even as we have.

CHRIST CONNECTION: Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God opened the eyes of Isaiah to see the coming Savior with detail no one had seen before. Isaiah prophesied about a mysterious Servant who would be rejected and despised and yet accomplish salvation through His suffering. The New Testament shows that this prophecy is about Jesus and His work.

Session 5 65 Additional Resources God Reveals the Suffering Servant

References Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry 1. Anonymous, “The Epistle to Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. Diognetus,” in The Apostolic Fathers in English, by Michael W. Holmes Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006), 298. blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry. 2. W. A. Criswell, Basic Bible Sermons on the Cross (Nashville: B&H, 1990), 39. 3. Robert B. Chisholm, “The Major Study Material Prophets,” in Holman Concise Bible Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery --“Reading the Old Testament Prophets: A Conversation with Gary (Nashville: B&H, 1998), 287. 4. John N. Oswalt, The Book of Smith”—Chapter 8 from Read the Bible for Life by George H. Guthrie Isaiah, Chapters 40–66, in The New International Commentary on --“Acquainted with Grief”—Article by Oswald Chambers; find a link to the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998), 376. this article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources 5. Augustine, Sermons 27.6, quoted in Isaiah 40–66, ed. Mark --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including “The ‘Servant Songs’ in W. Elliot, vol. XI in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Isaiah,” can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at Testament, 160. LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. 6. Jerome, Homilies on the Psalms 67, quoted in Isaiah 40–66, ed. Mark W. Elliott, vol. XI in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Sermon Podcast Old Testament (Downers Grove; IVP, 2007), 157. 7. John R. W. Stott, The Cross Adrian Rogers: “The Biography of the King” of Christ (Downers Grove: IVP, 2006), 156. 8. John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources Bible Knowledge Commentary, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983), 1108. 9. H. A. Ironside, Isaiah, in Ironside Tip of the Week Expository Commentary (Hutto, TX: WORDsearch Corp., 2007) [WORDsearch]. A Serving Community 10. James E. Smith, The Major Prophets, in Old Testament Survey We were created by God for a reason. Our purpose on earth is to love and Series (Joplin, MO: College Press, 1995), Isaiah 53:10-12 [Biblia.com]. serve God and then to take that love to others. Since we cannot serve God 11. Tremper Longman III, in HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), directly, so to speak, we ultimately serve Him by serving others. We can be 1211, n. 53:10-11. more effective servants when we do it together in community than when 12. D. Larry Gregg Sr., “The Servant Songs in Isaiah,” Biblical Illustrator we serve alone. It is important, therefore, to establish a strong group that (Winter 2007-08): 34. 13. C. H. Spurgeon, “Expiation,” relies on each other. So schedule a service opportunity and do it together. The Spurgeon Archive [online], 1864 [cited 28 January 2016]. Here are some practical ideas for serving as a group: Available from the Internet: • Provide meals for a family in need. www.spurgeon.org. 14. Bill Donahue and Steve Gladen, • Change the oil on a single parent’s car. Building Biblical Community (Nashville: LifeWay, 2010), 59, 64. • Help widows with chores in their homes. • Offer free babysitting to young families that could use a break. • Pick a park and do a cleanup project there. 14

66 Leader Guide About the Writers

Unit 1: Mary Jo Sharp (sessions 1,2,4) is an assistant professor of The Gospel Project® Adult Leader Guide ESV apologetics at Houston Baptist University and is the founder Volume 5, Number 1 Fall 2016 and director of Confident Christianity, a non-profit apologetics

Eric Geiger ministry. A clear communicator with a heart for people, she Vice President, LifeWay Resources finds great joy in sharing the deep truths of her Lord and Ed Stetzer Savior. She and her husband, Roger, have one daughter. General Editor

Trevin Wax Managing Editor Adam Dooley (sessions 3,5,6) serves as the senior pastor of

Daniel Davis Sunnyvale First Baptist Church on the northeast side of Dallas. Content Editor He is a two-time graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological

Josh Hayes Seminary, where he has also served as an adjunct professor. Content and Production Editor Adam is married to Heather, and they have three sons and Ken Braddy one daughter. Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies

Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Trillia Newbell (provided the unit 1 session plans) is the author of Enjoy (forthcoming, 2017), Fear and Faith, and Send questions/comments to: United. She is the Director of Community Outreach for the Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Trillia is married One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; to Thern, and they reside with their two children near or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com. Nashville, Tennessee.

Printed in the United States of America Unit 2: The Gospel Project®: Adult Leader Guide ESV Michael Kelley lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, (ISSN 2330-9377; Item 005573550) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One Jana, and their three children: Joshua, Andi, and Christian. LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. He serves as the Director of Discipleship for LifeWay For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, Christian Resources. Michael speaks across the country at One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. churches, conferences, and retreats and is the author of three For subscriptions or subscription address changes, email [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or Bible studies and the book Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal: write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, email [email protected], A Boy, Cancer, and God. fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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