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Read: Isaiah 53
Listen: Isaiah 53

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Isaiah foreshadows Jesus as a suffering servant who will rescue his people from sin. Through Isaiah, God reveals the one who would be “despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus fulfills this word through his life, death and resurrection. He bears people’s pain and heals what sin has undone. He takes people’s place by suffering for sin. A two-way exchange happens: Jesus takes the penalty for sin and gives people his holiness. His purity pushes out impurity.

Jesus took the punishment that we deserved. He is our substitute sufferer. The New Testament authors repeatedly point to Isaiah 53 to declare what Jesus does for us. Jesus died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3, Isaiah 53:8-9). Jesus makes us righteous (Romans 5:19, Isaiah 53:11). Jesus bore our sins so we can be healed and live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:4-5). This truth can be hard to acknowledge—our sin is so damaging that someone must suffer on our behalf to pay the price for it. Thanks be to God for Jesus, who willingly died in our place.

TODAY: If you have not turned to Jesus to accept the price he paid for your sin and ask for his forgiveness, you can do so today. If you have accepted Jesus as Savior, ask him to help you grow—through the power of the Holy Spirit—in being holy as he is holy. If you would like to talk about what it means to be forgiven and follow Jesus, please email us at btw@adabible.org

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

ReadIsaiah 51-53.Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Consider how chapter 53 points to all Jesus will accomplish on the cross.