Scripture: Acts 8:26-35

C.I.: The “Servant Song”
During the month of January we are studying a series of lessons on the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah speaks to us in many voices: Ambassador (6:8), Preacher (31:1), and today as a Poet/Singer.
For today Isaiah is going to sing a song that sounds like a dirge – but is a paean (a song of joy & triumph).
For Isaiah had warned that Israel would be defeated by Babylon – but here he promises a time or rejoicing!

I. A Dirge that Fills Us with Joy, (Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12)

A. A Shocking Servant (52:13-14):

1. People will be shocked by His exaltation.
a. (v. 13), “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high & lifted up and greatly exalted.”
1) Both before/after His ministry = Exalted! - (Isa. 6:1; Phil. 2:9-10), “…lofty & exalted…” –.
2) People will be shocked again at His coming - that the Jesus we proclaim – is truly God!

2. The people will be shocked by his appearance.
a. (v. 14), “Just as many were astonished at you, My people, so His appearance was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.”
1) Not only were his civil rights taken from Him by a sham trial – but even His human rights
a. (Matt. 26:67), “They spat in His face & beat Him w/their fists, while others slapped..
b. (Jn. 19:1), “Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.”
2) He is a Shocking Servant – because of how God exalts Him – while mankind degrades Him!

B. A Self-Effacing Servant (53:1-3):

1. Notice the description of the “Servant” about whom Isaiah sings…
a. (v. 1), “Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
1) Power: Creation/fingers (Psa. 8:3), Deliverance/hand (Ex. 13:3), Salvation/arm (Isa. 9:6)!!!
2) Humility – (v. 2a), “He grew up before Him like a tender shoot; like a root out of parched ground.” - Born in obscurity (Bethlehem), raised in poverty (Nazareth) = humanity!

b. His self-Effacing nature (humility) – is further seen in what He chose to have/ NOT to have…
1) (vs. 2b-3), “He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him or appearance
we should be attracted to Him. – He was despised & forsaken of men, a man of sorrows,
acquainted with grief; & like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised & we did
not esteem Him.”
1) Regarding our Lord’s earthly ministry – He had nothing people consider important….
2) No great looks, wealth (Mt. 8:20), “…birds..,” - prestige (Mt. 13:55), “…carpenter’s son?”
3) This humble servant – who was truly God – was despised & not esteemed / just like today!!

C. A Smitten Servant (53:4-6)

1. This is the heart of the song – and the heart of the gospel message!
a. (vs. 4-6), “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; and we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God & afflicted. – He was pierced through for our transgressions, - He was crushed for our iniquities, the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. – All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”
1) The song tells who is guilty - That servants are good for doing what we don’t want to do!
2) The “Great Substitution” – the “Divine Transaction” – Jesus took OUR PLACE on the cross.
3) Thus, it is the cross is at the center of Xnity (Acts 2:36; I Cor. 2:2; 11:26; Rom. 5:6; etc.).
1) Under the Law – sheep were sacrificed for shepherds / N.T. the Shepherd dies for His sheep!

b. We call it “injustice” – but it is truly God’s justice for us – (Rom. 3:25-26), “…God displayed
[Jesus] publicly as the adequate sacrifice in His blood through faith. – This was to demonstrate
His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just & justifier of the one who has faith..”
1) God’s justice is satisfied – because a capital crime (sin) has been punished (Rom. 6:23)
2) (Rom. 5:9), “…having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God..

D. A Silent Servant (53:7-9)

1. (v. 7), “He was oppressed & He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is lead to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.”
a. We want to scream, “Its not fair! You’ve got the wrong man!!” – But He Himself says nothing!
2) Caiaphas (Mt. 26:62-63), “Do You make no answer? What is it these are testifying? J. kept s.
3) Chief priests/elders (27:12), “While being accused by the chief priests/elders, He made no an
4) Pilate (27:14), “He did not answer him with regard to a single charge, so the gov. quite amaz
Soldiers (I Pt. 2:23), “Wile being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering….”

E. A Satisfying Servant (53:10-12):

1. Having seen the horrors of the cross from man’s point of view – now we see it from the Father’s!
a. (v. 10), “But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.”
1) The Servant-Man was “crushed…offered” – but He didn’t remain dead – “see off…prolong..
2) Man/Satan tried to divert God’s plan – but “He became obedient … highly exalted” Phil. 2:8
b. (v. 11), “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge
the Righteous One, My Servant will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.”
1) God did not enjoy the death of His Son – but it “satisfied” sin’s requirement (I Jn. 2:1-2).
c. (v. 12), “Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the
strong; because He poured Himself out to death, and was numbered with transgressors; yet He
Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.”
1) God solved our “sin problem” – by taking our place – “He Himself bore the sin of many!.”
2) Not only that – but He prayed/interceded for sinners – (Lk. 23:34), “Father, forgive them…”

CONCLUSION: Relate story of Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:29-39; Mk. 16:16) - This Song Touched His Heart!