Who Has Believed?
"Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" - Isaiah 53:1
Rhetorical Question
Isaiah foresaw how few would believe in Jesus. This reveals belief requires faith, not just sight.
Two Types of Hearing
Sensory hearing differs from hearing with faith. You can hear without truly believing.
Growing Up Before God
01
Like a Root
Jesus grew from dry ground—David's lineage nearly dried up.
02
No Majesty
He had no form or beauty. People struggled to see beyond it.
03
True Glory
Not His appearance, but His character reflected God's glory. His wisdom, power, love reflect the glory of God.
The Son of God entered as a baby. Thirty years growing, three years ministering. Profound humility.
Despised and Rejected
Despised by Men
Rejected in teaching and crucifixion. Men rejected His deity and crucified Him for claiming it.
Man of Sorrows
His appearance disfigured beyond human likeness. Acquainted with grief through Roman crucifixion.
Hidden Faces
People hid their faces from Him. Yet He bore what they should have venerated.
He Bore Our Griefs
"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." - Isaiah 53:4
Our Griefs
Jesus carried our sorrows to the cross as our substitute.
Pierced
Thorns on head, nails in hands and feet, sword in side.
Our Peace
His chastisement brought peace between God and us.
Pierced for Our Transgressions
The Exchange
He was pierced for our transgressions. Crushed for our iniquities.
The punishment was not for His wrongdoing, but ours. No conflict between God and Jesus.
Our Healing
With His wounds we are healed. Lashings that shred His back brought spiritual healing.
"God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
100%
Complete Atonement
His sacrifice fully covers our sin debt.
All Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:6
Prone to Wander
We need not a coach or king, but a self-sacrificing shepherd. That's what we received in Christ.
Our Iniquity
He became sin for us. We become the righteousness of God through Him.
The Debt
Wages of sin is death. We have a sin debt we could never repay.
Silent Before His Accusers
He Opened Not His Mouth
Like a lamb led to slaughter. Like a sheep before shearers, silent.
He could have called twelve legions of angels. Yet He never spoke in His defense.
Buried in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb—a rich man. No violence, no deceit in His mouth.
Charged with blasphemy for claiming equality with God. "Before Abraham was, I am." John 8:58
The Will of the Lord
To Crush Him
Not because God is sadistic, but because of infinite love and mercy.
An Offering
His soul made an offering for guilt. Propitiation—proof of God's love.
His Offspring
He shall see His offspring. Born not of flesh, but of the Spirit.
"For the joy set before him he endured the cross." Hebrews 12:2
Three Points of Application
Receive the Peace He Purchased
Nothing left for you to do. Jesus has done it all. Not His chastisement plus your conformity.
Stop Wandering, Return to the Shepherd
Don't keep wandering hoping to get life right first. He's calling you now in complete surrender.
Proclaim the One Others Overlooked
Make His name great among all peoples. Magnify Christ and multiply disciples wherever you go.
At the cross, every line came true. The only question is: "Will you come to Him in repentance and faith?"
All we like sheep have gone astray—but the Lord laid on Him our iniquity. Come home to God in peace.