1. The suffering servant – Is.53 1. A seeming contradiction – success through suffering – Is.52:13-15 a. The servant – exalted & successful – v.13,15 b. The servant’s horrific suffering – v.14 The Cross – seems foolish & weak, but is God’s wisdom & power

2. 2. The servant – unrecognized & misunderstood – Is.53:1-3 a. A promising start – v.2a b. With time he became less impressive-v.2b 1. People desert him – John 6:66 2. Opposition grew 3. Not the hoped for Messiah 4. Unrecognized, rejected & despised –v.3

3. 3. The suffering explained – Is.53:4-6 People thought he was suffering for his own sin – v.4b a. He bore our sin & judgment – v.4a,5a,6; 1Pet.2:24; Gal.3:13 b. His suffering brings us peace –v.5b God’s great love displayed – Rom.5:8

4. 4. The submission of the servant – Is.53:7-9 The picture of a silent & sinless servant – v.7,9b He submitted himself to:- a. False accusations & gross injustice –v.8a b. Physical abuse – v.7 c. Death among criminals – v.8b,9 Is his mission a failure? What is God’s verdict?

5. 5. God’s mysterious & amazing plan – Is.53:10-12 God’s will carried out – Acts 2:23a; 4:28 a. The Cross resolves 2 irreconcilable truths 1. God is holy & just – judging sin 2. God is merciful & loving – not wanting the death of the sinner b. God’s verdict – raising & exalting his servant – v.10b,11,12

6. Is.53:10a – Holy ground The Father’s delight in his Son/Servant:- a. What his suffering would achieve –v.10,11 b. His obedience – bringing glory to God & salvation to sinners c. Raising & exalting him

7. At the Cross we bow in amazed thankfulness at:- 1. God’s immense love to sinners 2. God’s great wisdom – he can be both just & the justifier of sinners 3. God’s astonishing power – to bring salvation out of suffering & weakness Paul’s response – Gal.6:14 - “May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”