What happensPermalink
The Servant is unimpressive, despised, and rejected. Though innocent, he bears our griefs, sorrows, transgressions, and iniquities because the Lord lays our guilt upon him. He suffers silently, is cut off from life, and assigned a grave with the wicked yet buried with the rich. His death is a guilt offering according to God’s purpose; yet afterward he will see his offspring, prolong his days, justify many, and be exalted for bearing their sins and interceding for transgressors.
Why it mattersPermalink
The innocent Servant willingly bears the sins of others, dies as their guilt offering, and lives again to justify many. The New Testament explicitly identifies Him with Jesus (Acts 8:32–35), quotes His bearing of sicknesses (Matthew 8:17), and applies His sinlessness, wounds, and substitutionary suffering to Christ’s death (1 Peter 2:22–25). God’s saving victory comes through the rejected Servant’s obedient suffering, vindication, and intercession.
Key versePermalink
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.