Isaiah 52-58

“Who has believed our message?” (53:1). The message of the crucified Christ is still not easy for us to hear. Isaiah said that the Messiah would be “despised and forsaken of men,” not attractive in appearance, and quiet under suffering. We prefer leaders who are physically appealing, popular, charismatic, and ambitious. Jesus was “a man of sorrows” who turned our concept of leadership upside-down; the Son of God who left His throne to embrace our humiliation.

“Because He poured out Himself to death” (v12), we may live. And we can follow Him, loving and serving the way He showed us.