[Part 14]

(Scripture: Isa. 53:1-6)

JESUS OF NAZARETH: HIS DEATH

Intro.

1. 1 Cor. 15:3; Rom. 5:6-11: Jesus died for weak, ungodly sinners who were His enemies (v. 6, 8, 10). By His death we are: Justified, saved, reconciled & we rejoice (v. 9-10).

2. Isa. 53:4-6 - Purpose & achievement of Christ’s humiliation, physical torture & His ultimate sacrifice for mankind!

3.We need: Greater understanding of His death to help us have greater appreciation for God’s love, to motivate greater obedience to Him!

I. THE HUMILIATION OF JESUS - Isa. 53:3 (Psa. 69:20, 9).

A. He Was Hated Without A Cause - Jno. 15:22-25 (Psa. 69:4; 35:19).

1. Reproach - Blame/accuse: The Honorable One was dishonored!

2. Jno. 15:22, 24 - Rejected His words & works (which showed He was their friend, Psa. 69:4; Jno. 1:11). {Crowning act of rebellion!}

3. He came doing nothing but good, but was repaid w/ nothing but evil!

4. Isa. 53:3-4 - "We did not esteem him" - Can be said of all mankind! We fail to set a proper value upon Him!

B. He Endured Violent Injustice--Isa. 53:7-8 (Acts 8:32-33; Mk. 10:32-34)

1. "It was not a trial, but a plot to murder Jesus" (Hendr.) (Jno. 11:43-47)

2. At night, false witnesses, coercion, prejudice, beaten, judge the prosecutor, etc.

3. 53:8 - Death took Him away from such humiliating treatment. None considered it was for them! [Neither do we!!] - 53:4.

II. HIS PHYSICAL TORTURE - Isa. 53:4-6 (52:14).

A. His Torture & Death Were Vicarious - Matt. 20:28 (Rom. 5:8; 1 Pet. 2:24).

1. Near physical & emotional exhaustion before torture (Matt. 26:38).

2. Sleepless, traumatic night (betrayer, arrest, denial, trials, beating ).

3. Scourging (Matt. 27:26) - Weakened Him to a state just short of collapse or death.

· Description (JAMA, p. 1457 & 1458). - cf. Isa. 53:5; 1 Pet. 2:24.

4. Shameful mockery (Matt. 27:27-30):

a. Taunted & reproached w/ robe, crown of thorns & reed in right hand; mocking worship; Spat upon & struck in the head with reed.

b. "He humbled Himself!" (Phil. 2:6-8)

c. Voluntary! (Jno. 10:17-18) Do we love Him?! (Mk. 8:38)

5. Crucifixion (Matt. 27:31): Slow death w/ maximum pain, disgrace & cruelty: Death by torture!

a. Every wound intended to produce intense agony! (Nails, hoisting....)

b. Nails, breathing, crucifracture, death: JAMA, p. 1458, 1460-1461.

c. Death by crucifixion was "excruciating!" (Latin: ‘out of the cross’)

d. Reveals the horrible nature of sin & the depth of God’s love - Jno. 15:13; Eph. 3:14-19; Rom. 5:8; Phil. 2:8.

III. HIS ISOLATION FROM THE FATHER - Isa. 53:5-6; Psa. 22:1; Matt. 27:46.

A. He Bore Our Sins: He Experienced The Punishment Of Our Sins (separation from God, 2 Ths. 1:9) - Rom. 6:23.

1. Jno. 16:32 - He had endured abandonment of His friends, family, apostles, rulers & the people.

2. Now, He endures isolation from His Father / God:

a. He bore the sins of the world (Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 2:24).

b. "Made (to be) sin" - Guilt & penalty of sin (2 Cor. 5:21).

c. Became a curse for us (Gal. 3:13).

3. All the agony & distress of sin’s weight falls upon Jesus.....The Father allows Him to undergo this death without immediate relief!

a. Jno. 16:32 - Jesus’ assurance of the Father’s immediate presence is ripped from Him on the cross!

b. cf. Child in ICU: Alone, yet not forever & not forgotten! (May appear that way to child!) - Psa. 22:2-4, 22-24; Acts 2:27-28.

** c. Bearing the guilt (penalty) of our sins isolated Jesus from His Father’s immediate blessings & presence! (cf. Darkness)

4. Do we care?! How does this truth impact us?!

Conclusion

1. Isa. 53:10 - God’s plan that Jesus die. (He didn’t delight in seeing the Savior’s pain, He delighted in the Savior’s achievement!

2. Isa. 53:11 - God’s delight was in providing a sacrifice for sin which was adequate for the redemption of man (the life of His Son!). (Heb. 2:9-10: Grace of God Þ Our glory!)

3. How can we ignore Him? How can we reject serving Him? How can we face Him in the judgment having refused His great sacrifice on our behalf?

4. Obey His gospel now & always! [Rom. 6:3 - Be baptized into His death!]