Isaiah 53:10a
Who is the Suffering Servant? Did the LORD enjoy killing Jesus, or does this verse mean something else?
"Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise [crush] Him; He has put Him to grief."
Isaiah 53:10a
In this chapter, Isaiah is telling us about the "Suffering Servant". Christians believe this is a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus' crucifixion. Some Jewish interpretations see the servant as a metaphor for the people of Israel.
In some cases Israel is described (Isaiah 48:20; 49:3). As we read further, the Servant shows Himself more as a Person. We read about the Servant Who will lead Israel back to the LORD (Isaiah 49:5-6).
The Servant is what Israel should be, but never had become. He is the true Israel. In the New Testament, we read that Jesus is the Servant. His death is the atonement for our sins.
Luke 22:37: "For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished [fulfilled] in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."
Acts 8:34-35: "So the eunuch answered Philip and said, 'I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?' Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him."
Today's verse shows us that "it pleased the LORD to bruise [crush] Him". This does not mean the LORD enjoyed Jesus' death, but that it was necessary for our salvation, it was God's will. God is love. That is why the Father would make this plan, and why the Son agreed.
Jesus was fully willing to take the cup of God's wrath. He wanted us to be saved. He gave Himself as an offering.
Matthew 26:42: "Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.'"
Ephesians 5:1-2: "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."
"He has put Him to grief." Jesus took our sins to the cross. Only through faith in Him can we be saved. This was God's plan all along, even before He created us.
2 Timothy 1:9: "[God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began;"
Today's lesson: Jesus died to please His Father. Only through His love for us, the Son agreed to be the Servant. He willingly took on our sins and was crucified. Let us always thank God for this love.