Why do we celebrate Christmas?  There are many suggested reasons, but there is truly only one answer.  The reason is that it is the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Then the next question is that what makes Him so special that we should celebrate His coming?  The answer: Of anyone who has and will ever be born, He is unique.  Isaiah 53 is a well know passage that is commonly understood as being prophetic of our Lord Jesus.  This chapter reveals some of the ways that the Servant, the Christ, is truly unique.  

The Servant was common. (Phil. 2:6-8)

• Vs 1:  belief and revealed –
• Vs 2:  tender shoot contrast – power and strength; root out of parched ground contrast with strong & powerful & royal or majestic lineage; average appearance; not attractive.
• Vs 3:  He was despised and by lineage, position, and appearance. 

The Servant was able to bear the sins of others.  Christ died for other’s iniquities, not His own. (Galations 6:5)

• Vs 4: He carried our grief and sorrows yet we viewed that God was judging Him because of His own sin.
• Vs 5: He was pierced and crushed for our sins;  the our disciplining fell upon Him and by the beating He took we are healed.
• Vs 6:  We have all sinned and turned away from God.  The Lord has caused the punishment for our iniquity to fall upon Him.

The Servant was humble and meek.  Even through misunderstood, He did not speak out. (1 Peter 2:23; Phil 2:6-8; Matt. 27:57)

• Vs 7: He did not object to the oppression and affliction He endured;
• Vs 8:  He was taken away in bondage and went through a trial.  Who in His generation would understand that He was taking the punishment that they were going to get.
• Vs 9:  He was to be buried with wicked men, but instead he was buried in a rich man’s tomb because He had done no violence nor did he ever lie.

The Servant was recognized for His sacrifice.  He holds a unique position. (Mark 16:19)

• Vs 10:  It was God’s purpose to crush Him and making Him grieve.  If the Servant offers Himself as a guilt offering, God will prosper Him.  (possible reference to the resurrection.)  guilt offering:  Lev. 5:14-6:7; 7:1-6
• Vs 11:  God will be satisfied with His Servant’s sacrifice and through His experience the Servant will justify many because He will bear their iniquities.
• Vs 12:  Therefore God will place the Servant with the great and share the rewards of the strong because He sacrificed Himself to death and was associated with the sinners.  He, Himself, took upon Himself the sins of many and interceded for them. 

One thing to note is that Isaiah was writing about 700 years before Jesus came.  This shows us several things.  First is that God is truly God.  He knows the future because He orchestrates the future.  Secondly, Jesus is truly unique and thus worthy of our love and obedience.  This event, that we celebrate on December 25, was no accident.  He had planned it from long ago for His glory, which by the way, is our good.

To God Be the Glory,

Pastor Steve