Day 6 · The Gospel: God’s Saving Grace · (NET2)
The servant's path leads through rejection and suffering to vindication. He bears the sins of others and brings peace through his suffering. Christians read this passage in the light of Jesus' death and resurrection: forgiveness is a costly gift, secured by the Savior who gave himself for us. Read slowly; this longer passage rewards attention rather than speed.
Request
Father, by your Spirit, help me see the love and obedience of your Son. Deepen my gratitude for the forgiveness and peace his suffering secured. Amen.
Read
13 Look, my servant will succeed!
He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted —
14 (just as many were horrified by the sight of you)
he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man;
his form was so marred he no longer looked human —
15 so now he will startle many nations.
Kings will be shocked by his exaltation,
for they will witness something unannounced to them,
and they will understand something they had not heard about.1 Who would have believed what we just heard?
When was the Lord’s power revealed through him?
2 He sprouted up like a twig before God,
like a root out of parched soil;
he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention,
no special appearance that we should want to follow him.
3 He was despised and rejected by people,
one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness;
people hid their faces from him;
he was despised, and we considered him insignificant.4 But he lifted up our illnesses,
he carried our pain;
even though we thought he was being punished,
attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done.
5 He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds,
crushed because of our sins;
he endured punishment that made us well;
because of his wounds we have been healed.
6 All of us had wandered off like sheep;
each of us had strayed off on his own path,
but the Lord caused the sin of all of us to attack him.7 He was treated harshly and afflicted,
but he did not even open his mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block,
like a sheep silent before her shearers,
he did not even open his mouth.
8 He was led away after an unjust trial —
but who even cared?
Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living;
because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded.
9 They intended to bury him with criminals,
but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb
because he had committed no violent deeds,
nor had he spoken deceitfully.10 Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill,
once restitution is made,
he will see descendants and enjoy long life,
and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him.
11 Having suffered, he will reflect on his work,
he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done.
“My servant will acquit many,
for he carried their sins.
12 So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes,
he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful,
because he willingly submitted to death
and was numbered with the rebels,
when he lifted up the sin of many
and intervened on behalf of the rebels.”
Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).
Reflect
- What contrasts do you notice between how people regard the servant and what God accomplishes through him?
- What does the servant's bearing of sin invite you to confess, trust, or give thanks for today?
Restate
Put into your own words what the servant suffers and what his suffering achieves for others.
Respond
Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:
- Praise: Worship God for his holy love and saving wisdom.
- Thanksgiving: Thank Jesus for bearing our sins and bringing us peace.
- Confession: Confess a specific sin, resting in the forgiveness Christ secured.
- Intercession: Pray for someone who feels rejected or crushed by guilt.
- Petition: Ask for a humble heart shaped by the servant's self-giving love.
Carry it into today: Linger over one phrase about the servant's saving work and return to it when guilt or pride rises today.