TEXT: Isaiah 50:1-11 (esp. vv. 4-9)
READING: Psalm 22
SUBJ: Jesus’ description of His subservience and physical suffering
AIM: To encourage meditation in a proper way on the thought “Christ died for my sins.”
INTR: How easily the words, “Christ died for my sins,” roll off the lips of the millions. It is done with no thought of what He suffered.
1. Consider that there was joy to come, but the suffering came before the glory. He would suffer at the hands of men and of God. Both were essential!
2. In the first three verses of this chapter, we take note of the claim He (Christ) registers as sovereign over creation and salvation. This is contrasted with His suffering.
3. The example of Jesus is inspirational to say the least, but it is hard and demanding as well.
THESIS: Until there is a consciousness of the awfulness of sin, there will be no proper appreciation of what Christ suffered on the behalf of His people.
I. His training and the purpose of God (v.4)
1. The tongue of the “learned” was given that the purpose of God be accomplished.
1) That He should know how… (even as a Son He learned obedience)
2) To speak a word in season. See Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Compare such passages as Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
3) These are the words for the weary and we can all identify having had them spoken to our hearts at the proper time.
2. The personal and continual training of the “The Lord God” was morning by morning.
3. It is important that we note that He speaks of the Lord awakening His ear with the implication that He would hear in the very depths of His soul.
4. Thus, His was the ability (tongue of the learned) and the process (hearing as the learned).
II. His total submission to the purpose of God (vv. 5-6)
1. His ear was opened as a matter of servitude and submission – possibly referring to the boring of the ear of the lifetime servant.
2. “I was not rebellious…” We must note that He had every reason to turn back and we compare: Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
1) As to the station appointed Him in life – “not where to lay His head.”
2) As to the contempt He endured from His own.
3) As to the suffering and death He faced
4) As to complete self-abnegation – He always pleased not Himself, but the Father.
3. Only when the task was completed did He pray “restore unto me.”
4. Humiliation did not daunt Him:
1) I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks and c.
2) I hid not my face from the shame (slapping) and spitting
3) This He endured because it is what I deserved and He was as a sheep dumb before her shearers and opened not His mouth to defend Himself.
III. His faith in the purpose of God (vv. 7-9)
1. His faith was in the Lord God and that He would not be confounded.
2. His face was as a flint and He would not be ashamed. Compare Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
3. The confidence of the nearness of the Lord God – not to relieve, but to see. Whos shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
4. “Who is mine adversary?” and see Zechariah 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. “Let him come near” as if to say “see if you can do more” or “can you stand against this?”
5. The opposition fades as He emerges victoriously (v. 9)
IV. His example to us which is the purpose of God for us (vv. 10-11)
1. The conditions addressed:
1) They fear the Lord and obey His Servant
2) They walk in darkness – And consider the description of what He endured and what He claimed.
3) Let him trust and stay upon the Lord. He did and He prevailed that we might do the same.
2. A warning about and to those who would kindle their own fires. (v. 11)
