Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53:1-3

How few truly believe the gospel record concerning Jesus Christ! How few experience his effectual power, or behold his heart-captivating glory; who, in his humbled estate, under the special care and protection of JEHOVAH, sprung from the debased family of David, in the likeness of sinful flesh, without any external glory or pomp, and was all along oppressed with miseries and griefs, and quite contented and hated by men, especially the Jewish rulers and people!

Isaiah 53:4-9

But, notwithstanding our reckoning him persecuted by God as a notorious criminal, he, as our Surety, to whom it had pleased the Lord to impute our iniquities, suffered, in the most patient manner, the punishment due to our sins, that he might expinte them and purchase our eternal salvation: to manifest which, JEHOVAH not only allotted him an honourable interment, but quickly released him from his grave, and made him the mediatorial Parent of multitudes of Jewish and Gentile converts, in that very age so remarkable for wickedness

Isaiah 53:10-12

In consequence of bearing our iniquities, and the punishment thereof, which his Father, in love to us, inflicted upon him in his soul and body, that he might thereby make full atonement for our sin, he is rewarded with everlasting life and honour; and has, to his infinite satisfaction, a numerous seed of Jewish and Gentile converts, whom he instructs, and, through his own righteousness, justifies and saves. And, while he is enthroned far above all principalities and powers, he erects, extends, and establishes, his spiritual kingdom on earth, and his kingdom of glory in heaven. 8 K

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. LIII.—Alas! that Jesus Christ, and his gospel, should be so little known to the hearers of it! But nothing less than almighty grace can make us either know or believe in him. God exactly verified his predictions and promises in the whole debasement and exaltation of our Redeemer. Though carnal apprehensions of him lead men to contemn, reject, and blaspheme him, infinite was his love in undertaking, obeying, and suffering, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God! How great was his Father’s love in transferring our sins, and with pleasure punishing them, on his infinitely well-beloved, his only begotten, Son! And sweet, full, firm, and lasting, is that forgiveness, that redemption, which comes through the blood, the intercession, of God in our nature, and from JEHOVAH’s infinite and unchangeable love. In the ratified promises of the new covenant an extensive and firm foundation is laid for that faith, by which we do and must receive Jesus Christ, as made of God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And the rewards of our obedience of faith are all gloriously wrapped up in the purchased rewards of Jesus Christ!