Isaiah’s Servant Passages
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11 (ESV)
An Olympic athlete, wrapped in his country’s flag, weeps openly as the gold medal is lifted over his head and awarded. A journalist stuffs a microphone in his face and asks, “Was all the hard work and dedication worth it?” It was all worth it when you see the results.
Now picture a journalist transported back in time to skull hill outside of Jerusalem. A man dies on a cross. He hangs there in anguish unable to breathe and then in shock. His back is in ribbons. His mother weeps below the cross and his friends cry together. He lifts his arm high enough to catch the answer and asks, “Jesus, was it all worth it?”
He summons His remaining strength and declares, “It is Finished!” “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” He bows His head and dies. The answer comes a few days later when an angel of God descends from heaven to roll back the stone of His borrowed resting place to show that He’s gone. He is risen!
Was it worth it? The Prophet Isaiah answered the question hundreds of years beforehand. He declared: “by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” The answer is a resounding – YES! It was worth it to Jesus because His love placed a value on us that we can’t fathom. How could He love the unlovable with such boundless love? Listen again. This isn’t just a message of only the New Testament, it’s the message and lesson of the whole of scripture. It was worth it!
Here we have a firm foundation, Here the refuge of the lost;
Christ’s the Rock of our salvation, His the name of which we boast.
Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded Who on Him their hope have built
The Lutheran Hymnal 153:4